Vancouver is the major city of western Canada and one of the country's largest industrial centres. It’s situated in the southwestern corner of the coastal province of British Columbia. Vancouver is among the most beautiful and livable cities in the world and one of the most ethnically diverse. It is the region’s economic, transportation, and cultural hub. Since its incorporation in the late 19th century, Vancouver has been known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreation. It is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, and the Vancouver Aquarium.

Census in Canada is done every five years and 2016 was the last time that it was conducted. The next census is scheduled for 2021 in Canada. According to the 2016 census, Vancouver had a population of 631,486. Compared to other cities in Canada, Vancouver is considered to be quite diverse. According to the 2016 census, 48.9% of the population is white based in Vancouver while across Canada amounted to 72.9%. This is due to many people moving to the city for work and study opportunities. When it comes to religious beliefs, Vancouver is known to be diverse as most people identify themselves as Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim. According to the data collected during the 2016 census, 41.2% people in Vancouver identified themselves as having no religious affiliation, 38.3% as Christian, 2.2% Sikh, 1.7% Buddhist, 1.4% Hindu, 1.2% Muslim, and 14.2% Other religions or did not respond. As one of the most diverse cities in Canada, Vancouver houses over 631,000 residents, who collectively speak a multitude of languages, including Punjabi, Tagalog, Italian, Spanish, German, Cantonese, Mandarin, and of course English.

There are three tiers under local government in Vancouver. They are municipal, regional, and provincial. Municipal administration is coordinated by the City of Vancouver, while regional administration is carried out by Metro Vancouver Regional District, and provincial administration by the Government of British Columbia. The City of Vancouver is governed by the Vancouver City Council, headed by the Mayor of Vancouver, who has executive powers. The council is responsible for city planning, development, maintenance of parks, and cultural and community services. The Metro Vancouver Regional District is responsible for regional growth management, air quality, water, and wastewater treatment, and solid waste management. The Government of British Columbia oversees the education, healthcare, and transportation services in Vancouver.

Vancouver has always been a commercial city and today enjoys the status of having one of the largest city economies in Canada. The city thrives in tourism, film industry, software development, biotechnology, aerospace, video game development, animation studios, and a vibrant retail sector. It has a GDP of over CAD $137 billion. The size of its economy is larger than that of several Canadian provinces. The Port of Vancouver handles 142 million tons of cargo every year.

Vancouver has been proactive in planning and developing its infrastructure. The city’s Greenest City 2020 Action Plan is a commitment to sustainability and growth. It outlines actions for clean water, local food, green buildings, green transportation, zero waste, access to nature, and clean air. The plan also includes strategies to address climate change, create green jobs, and enhance the city's natural beauty. The private sector plays a significant role in the implementation of this plan, particularly in areas such as digital infrastructure and green building technologies.