Surrey

History

When European explorers, road-builders, loggers and settlers first came to this area, the Semiahmoo and Kwantlen First Nations People had already been present for more than 6,000 years. The settlements along the mouth of the Fraser River, at Crescent Beach, at the mouth of the Campbell River and in the north along the sheltered bends of the Fraser River were well established villages and temporary or seasonal settlements. Community life centred on hunting and fishing. Tidal resources of shellfish, river supplies of salmon, herring, and oolichans, and shorelines and forests of birds, deer, elk, and bear provided ample resources to support life in the delta of the Fraser River. The Campbell, Nicomekl and Serpentine Rivers were the inland routes used for trading and communication. The coastal waterways connected the First Nations to the surrounding communities.

Incorporated in 1879, Surrey has a rich history of people with diverse ethnic backgrounds coming together to make Surrey one of British Columbia's most unique communities. The land was forests of fir, cedar and hemlock, basically untouched. Logging began, the land was cleared, settlement took place, and Surrey started to take shape. As you drive throughout the city, take notice of heritage markers bearing the names of the early settlers to the area, such as Johnston Road, Sullivan Station and Hjorth Road, to name a few.

In September of 1993, Surrey officially became a city. Over the past few years, the City has undergone tremendous change and growth, and the overall quality of life has risen to impressive heights. The City Council is committed to providing its residents, through initiatives such as Safe and Clean City, Active City, Adopt-A-Street and Block Watch, with a great community in which to live, work, and play.
 
Location

Surrey, one of the fastest growing major cities in Canada, is strategically located at the crossroads of the Pacific Rim, Greater Vancouver, and the United states. Easy and convenient access to Vancouver International Airport, two international border crossings into the USA, an excellent transportation network (including six major highways, rail and deep sea port) provide an ideal opportunity for the transportation of goods and services worldwide - a network essential to the demands of a vibrant city and its growing business sector.

Six town centres combine to make the City of Surrey - City Centre (Whalley), Fleetwood, Guildford, Cloverdale and South Surrey. Each has its own distinct features and attributes. Approximately 1,000 new residents each month continue to make Surrey their home. Currently the second-largest city in British Columbia, with a population over 400,000 , Surrey is expected to become the largest, surpassing the City of Vancouver's population within 10 years.

As fast as Surrey is growing, it has also maintained connection to its roots with approximately 35% of the land designated as agricultural and still being actively farmed today. Add to that an additional 2,300 hectares of park and open space and you've got a city that is livable and healthy. There are two major rivers that run through Surrey, the Nicomekl and Serpentine, each carving out integral lines throughout the city's past, present and its future. From forest reserves to agricultural land, from urban to industrial areas, and from beach fronts to mountain vistas, Surrey has it all.