| Feature Type: | City - A populated place with legally defined boundaries, incorporated as a city municipality under the provincial Municipal Act. | | Status: | Official | | Name Authority: | BC Geographical Names Office | | Pronounced: | nan EYE-mo | | Relative Location: | SE side of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo Land District | | Latitude-Longitude: | 49°09'49"N, 123°56'16"W at the approximate location of the Municipal Hall. | | Datum: | WGS84 | | NTS Map: | 92G/4 | | Related Maps: | 92F/1
92G/4
| Origin Notes and History: | Incorporated as a City 24 December 1874. Nanaimo (City) confirmed 12 December 1939 on C.3577. Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office | | Nanaimo is an anglicization of the Halkemelem word for the area. This general area was the site of 5 fall and winter villages of the Nanaimo Coast Salish, each occupied by a named group or extended family. Anthropologist D. Jenness identified the villages as Solachwan, Tewahlchin, Anuweenis, Kwalsiarwahl and Ishihan. Summer villages were located at Gabriola Island and along the lower Fraser River. Various translations all touch on the notion of a shared locale: Sna Ney Mous, "meeting place" (Nanaimo Bastion); Sne-ny-mo, "group of many people" or "people of many names" (Provincial Archives, 1990); Snenaymexw, where the suffix mexw means "bunch, people" (Smithsonian, 1990); Snanaimooh (Tolmie & Dawson, 1884); Snanaimuq (Boas, 1889); Sne ney mux (Coull, 1996); Sne-ny-mo (Walbran, 1909); Sne-ny-mous, "gathering place" (Canadian Encyclopedia). Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office | | "This important BC coastal city takes its name from the Island Halkomelem First Nation inhabitants, the Snuneymuxw, who still occupy the region. Many different spelling for this name are found in early documents, including Sna Ney Mous, Sne-ny-mo and Snanaimuq. The Snuneymuxw were a confederacy of five extended families whose winter villages - Solachwan, Tewahlchin, Ishihan, Anuweenis and Kwalsiarwahl - were located in the general area. The exact meaning of the name is uncertain, but it seems to refer to a shared locale; "meeting place" or "people of many names" are two common translations." (p. 417) Source: Scott, Andrew; "The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Place Names"; Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, 2009. | "You will proceed with all possible diligence to Wintuhuysen inlet, commonly known as Nanymo bay, and formally take possession of the coal beds lately discovered...." (24 August 1852 letter from Governor James Douglas to Joseph MacKay). Mr McKay duly proceeded [there]...his first despatch to Governor Douglas being dated 'Wintuhuysen inlet, 1 September 1852'. This name is used by McKay until 8 March 1853, when he adopts 'Nanaimo'. The settlement is marked Colvilletown [sic] on the war office map of 1859, also on the Nanaimo District official map of the same year (named after Andrew Colvile, governor of the Hudson's Bay Company 1852 - 1856). Letters for the settlement, previous to 1859, were usually addressed "Colville Town, Nanaimo, V. I." After that date the first name was gradually discontinued and has not been used since 1860. See Walbran for extensive additional description....... Source: Walbran, John T; British Columbia Coast Names, 1592-1906: their origin and history; Ottawa, 1909 (republished for the Vancouver Public Library by J.J. Douglas Ltd, Vancouver, 1971) | | In Dallas Square, Parks Canada has installed a National Historic Site monument "to mark the site of the first commercial coal mine in British Columbia, discovered in 1852." See also the municipality's own website. Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office | | FAQs
Geography of British Columbia
| Continent | North America |
|---|
| Coastline | 27,000 km (17,000 mi) |
| Borders | Total land borders: United States: Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana; Canadian provinces Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories |
| Highest point | Mount Fairweather 4,663 m (15,299 ft) |
| Lowest point | Pacific Ocean sea level |
9 more rowsGeographical names are names of features on earth that are natural or manmade and adapted. These features may be populated or unpopulated. Geographical names that fall within the jurisdiction of local government include streets, municipal buildings and squares, local parks and cemeteries, and privately owned buildings.
What is the database of geographic names? ›
The Canadian Geographical Names Database (CGNDB) is a key Federal open data set that most geospatial users in Canada should be familiar with. It is Canada's authoritative source for all official geographical names, and their associated attributes.
What is the change of geographical names? ›
Geographical renaming is when a place's name gets changed. There can be several reasons for geographical renaming. One such reason is countries joining together to form a new country. For example, after the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland joined together in 1701, they formed the United Kingdom.
What does BC stand for in geography? ›
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada.
What are the geological features of BC? ›
Throughout this long interval, fluctuating regimes determined by relative plate vectors have created the complex and varied geology and topography of the region; its thrust belts, volcanoes, and granite canyons; its scarps, plateaus, and cordilleras.
What is the longest name in geography? ›
Ready? It's Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. This 1,000-foot hill near the township Porangahau holds the Guinness World Record for longest place name with 85 characters.
Why do geographic names matter? ›
Geographical names are an important part of our geographical and cultural environment. They identify geographical entities of different kinds and represent irreplaceable cultural values of vital significance to people's sense of well-being and belonging.
What is geographical words? ›
What are geographical terms? A geography term is a word or part of a vocabulary used within the science of geography. Often, a geographical term is based on or derived from the physical features of an area. For example, topography, latitude, and climate are all common geographical terms.
What is the geographic names board of Canada? ›
The Geographical Names Board of Canada (GNBC) is Canada's national coordinating body responsible for standards and policies on place names. The GNBC comprises federal, provincial and territorial departments and agencies, each with specific authority and responsibility for their respective jurisdictions.
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What is the geographic names information system? ›
GNIS is the geographic names component of The National Map. GNIS contains records for approximately one million geographic names in the United States, including populated places, lakes, streams, summits, valleys, and ridges. Search GNIS using the Search Domestic Names query form.
What is an example of a geographical name? ›
The study of the meaning of place-names is called etymology. Geographical names sometimes consist of a single word and sometimes of multiple words—examples are London and Newcastle upon Tyne (this addition to the name Newcastle serves to distinguish it from other towns called Newcastle).
What do you mean by geographic names? ›
Geographical names or place names (or toponyms) are the proper nouns applied to topographical features and settled (and used) places and spaces on the earth's surface. Toponyms occur in both spoken and written languages and represent an important reference system used by individuals and societies throughout the world.
Can I name an unnamed island? ›
Proposals to name an unnamed natural feature can be submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN).
What is the physical geography of BC? ›
The province has very diverse geography. B.C.'s landscapes include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, forests, lakes, mountains, inland deserts and grassy plains. The Fraser Valley in the Mainland/Southwest region has rich agricultural land that produces fruit and vegetables.
What is the climate or geography of BC? ›
The interior and central regions of the province have hotter summers, with temperatures in July often reaching 30°C or more. Winters are colder and snowier than in coastal regions. In the north, winters are long and cold with lots of snow, and summers are short.
What are the historical facts about BC? ›
B.C. was a British colony until 1871, when it joined Canada. In 1885, the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed, opening the country from east to west. The railway increased trade and the movement of people and resources from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. The 20th century was a time of expansion and growth.
