Comox

The city of Comox is situated on Vancouver Island's eastern coast and has an estimated population of 12,000 residents. The city of Comox sits on a small peninsula in the Georgia Strait, situated approximately 220 km or 137 miles north of Victoria and 66 miles or 107 km north of Nanaimo.

The name Comox comes from the First Nations people who settled there thousands of years ago. They called the region kw'umuxws which is Coast Salish for plentiful. The Kwakwla Indian word of Komuckway means Place of Plenty. This was a reference to the abundant berries and game within the Comox Valley. The settlers form Europe changed the name to Komoux and eventually Comox.

People were attracted to the area due to its dry and warm summer months, fertile soil, abundant sea life, and mild wintertimes. The place was opened for settlement during the mid 19th century and rapidly grew the industries of fishing, forestry and farming. The village remained isolated for more than 50 years. It was only accessible to the outside world by ship until during World War I. At that time, a railway and roads were constructed in the region.

Half of the agricultural land was located in the Comox Valley. After the turn of this last century, the resource based fishing and logging jobs began to lessen. At that time, the biggest businesses were St. Joseph Hospital, the local school board, Mount Washington Alpine Resort and CFB 19 Wing Comox.

The Port of Comox was founded in the mid-1800's on the slopes of the Comox Peninsula. This port overlooked the Comox Harbour, which at the time was known as Port Augusta. This was an important and popular port for the ships of the Royal Navy and transport streamers.

South and north of the quiet little coastal town there are miles of sandy coast. It is nice that the quaint seashore town has not become overwhelmed by the presence of the nearby Canadian Forces Air Base. The region has likewise gone through a recent influx of arrivals because numerous people are choosing to settle within the Vancouver Island's southern part.

There are a lot of visible glaciers and peaks of Vancouver Island's ranges just up island towards the city of Campbell River. Some of the more well-known views consist of the Forbidden Plateau, Mount Washington and Comox Glacier. It is a serene drive as the highway sweeps past some farmlands which are well-reserved.

The city of Comox has a moderate weather condition which allows for year round recreational activities such as swimming, sailing and golfing. There are many facilities in city limits to support these activities.

Ever since the year 1942, the Canadian Forces Base has been utilized as a Royal Air Force base and has become an essential part of the community. CFB Comox has supported the community throughout its time there and has helped shape the city into its current form. CFB Comox's main responsibilities include Search and rescue operations, maritime patrols, and air force and naval defense operations. In addition to the various parts the base plays for British Columbia, Canada and the community, CFB routinely supplies equipment and volunteers every time they are required.