Burrard Peninsula

The Squamish name for the Burrard Peninsula as a whole — or rather, for the long rise of land from Point Grey to Central Park, was Ulksen or Ulxen.

The peninsula is however attached to the mainland at its northeastern end, and as a matter of convenience, the isthmus may be taken to follow the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) across the relatively narrow, low neck of land from Port Moody at the eastern end of Burrard Inlet, through Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam southeast to the bank of Pitt River.

From where the CPR tracks cross the Pitt River, the Burrard Peninsula runs due west for approximately 40 km (25 mi) to Point Grey.

The Burrard Peninsula, for the most part, consists of a hilly low plateau reaching a maximum elevation between 100 and 150 metres (330 and 490 ft) above sea level in most places.

The Burrard Peninsula has been extensively urbanized, and includes the largest and densest populations in the Metro Vancouver region, and in British Columbia more generally.

Map of the Burrard Peninsula (right centre). The map is oriented with north-northwest facing up. The peninsula is flanked by Burrard Inlet to the north and the Fraser River delta to the south.
False-colour satellite photo of Vancouver region, with the western and central sections (Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster) of the Burrard Peninsula visible.