Squamish
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Newport | |
---|---|
District of Squamish[1] | |
![]() Cleveland Avenue in Squamish with Mount Garibaldi looming in the background | |
Nickname: Squampton[2] | |
Location of Squamish in British Columbia | |
Coordinates: 49°42′06″N 123°09′32″W / 49.70167°N 123.15889°W | |
Country | Canada |
Province | British Columbia |
Region | Howe Sound/Sea to Sky Country |
Regional District | Squamish-Lillooet Regional District |
Government | |
• Type | Elected council |
• Mayor | Armand V. Hurford |
• Governing body | Squamish Council |
• MP | Patrick Weiler |
• MLA | Jordan Sturdy |
Area | |
• Total | 104.88 km2 (40.49 sq mi) |
Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
Population (2021)[3] | |
• Total | 23,819 |
• Density | 186.1/km2 (482/sq mi) |
Demonym(s) | Squamite, Squamishite, Squamolian[4] |
Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific Time Zone) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (Pacific Daylight Time) |
Forward sortation area | |
Area code | 604 |
Website | squamish |
Squamish (IPA: [skwɔːmɪʃ]; Squamish: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, IPA: [ˈsqʷχʷuː.ʔməʃ]; 2021 census population 23,819)[3] is a community and a district municipality in the Canadian province of British Columbia, located at the north end of Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Highway. The population of the Squamish census agglomeration, which includes First Nation reserves of the Squamish Nation although they are not governed by the municipality, is 24,232.[5]
Indigenous Squamish people have lived in the area for thousands of years.[6] The town of Squamish had its beginning during the construction of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway in the 1910s. It was the first southern terminus of that railway (now a part of CN). The town remains important in the operations of the line and also the port. Forestry has traditionally been the main industry in the area, and the town's largest employer was the pulp mill operated by Western Forest Products. However, Western's operations in Squamish permanently ceased on January 26, 2006.[7] Before the pulp mill, the town's largest employer had been International Forest Products (Interfor) with its sawmill and logging operation, but it closed a few years prior to the pulp mill's closing. In recent years, Squamish has become popular with Vancouver and Whistler residents escaping the increased cost of living in those places, both less than one hour away by highway. Tourism is increasingly important in the town's economy, with an emphasis on outdoor recreation.
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