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Port Coquitlam is a city in British Columbia, located about 30 km east of Vancouver, at the confluence of Fraser River and the Pitt River. Coquitlam borders it on the north, the cities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows lie across the river. Port Coquitlam is almost entirely bisected by a Canadian Pacific Railway yard with 2 underpass crossings.
History
European settlers arrived in the 1860s. The Canadian Pacific Railway moved its terminus from Vancouver to the banks of the Fraser River in 1911. Port Coquitlam was first incorporated as a municipality in 1913. Port Coquitlam used to be mostly farm land however due to expansion of Vancouver it has now become mostly suburban housing, especially on the north side.
Demographics
The second half of the 1990s saw a population growth rate of 9.8%, with a large number of immigrants, who by 2001, comprised 25% of the population. English was the first language for 76% of the inhabitants. Religions practised were Protestant 36%,Catholic 32%, Other 14%, and No Religion 18%.
Transportation
The most used bus route in this section of the Greater Vancouver Regional District is the 160. The 160 links Port Coquitlam and Vancouver. It passes through Coquitlam Central Station and Port Moody Station. Two major stops in the city include the Port Coquitlam Centre and the Port Coquitlam Station. Other bus routes in the city are the 159 and the community shuttles.
The Lougheed Highway passes through Port Coquitlam, running from Coquitlam in the west to the Pitt River Bridge in the east. This highway has made much of Port Coquitlam a very congested area.
Notable residents
- Terry Fox, athlete and cancer treatment activist
- Ann Hansen, a member of the Squamish Five, a self-styled urban guerilla group
- Robert Pickton, alleged to be one of Canada's most prolific serial killers
- Rosette Sharma, singer
Surrounding municipalities
See also
- Province of British Columbia
- Greater Vancouver Regional District
- School District 43 Coquitlam
- Tri-Cities (British Columbia)
External links
Cities in British Columbia | Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
"Port Coquitlam, British Columbia"