The central city of Victoria lends its name and cultural influence to many places and organizations in the metro region.

Greater Victoria is the southernmost urban area in Western Canada; it is located south of the 49th parallel.

A substantial community of those of Chinese descent has existed in Greater Victoria since the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush of 1858–60, which saw the first significant influx, arriving first via San Francisco then directly from China.

The Rifflandia Music Festival takes place in Downtown Victoria in mid to late September.

These regional positive qualities, along with new transportation links, international high-profile events (2007 NATO meeting, 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, 1994 Commonwealth Games), could have helped produce a socio-economic effect in terms of: attractiveness as a place of residency, low unemployment, high real estate development potential for profit, increasing immigration of new people(s), and expanding opportunities for business or economic development.

High-profile international attention performs its duty as a marketing, public relations, and sales catalyst for further activity.

Boaters from around the world gather annually in the waters off of Vancouver Island for the Swiftsure Yacht Race.

As it was in the early days with merchants supplying and outfitting gold rush prospectors, today's modern merchants supply outdoor recreation seekers before they head to other parts of Vancouver Island for surfing, kayaking, hiking, camping, swimming, cycling or whatever activities they seek.

In June 2010, the Royal Canadian Navy celebrated its 100th anniversary with a fleet review in the waters off of Greater Victoria, by Canada's former Governor General Michaëlle Jean.