Coquitlam, a city nestled in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada, is a suburban gem that boasts a rich history and vibrant culture. As the sixth-largest city in the province, Coquitlam is home to a population of 148,625 as of 2021. The city is one of the 21 municipalities that make up Metro Vancouver, with Richard Stewart serving as the current mayor.
The Coast Salish people were the first inhabitants of Coquitlam, with archaeological evidence confirming their presence for at least 9,000 years. The name "Coquitlam" originates from the Coast Salish term "kʷikʷəƛ̓əm," which translates to "red fish up the river."
The region was first explored by Simon Fraser in 1808, and European settlers began to arrive in the 1860s. Coquitlam's growth was catalyzed by the construction of Fraser Mills, a state-of-the-art lumber mill, in 1889. By 1908, a small town had developed around the mill, complete with houses, a store, post office, hospital, office block, barber shop, pool hall, and a Sikh temple.
The city experienced significant population growth following World War II, a trend that continues to this day. The opening of Lougheed Highway in 1953 made the city more accessible, paving the way for residential growth. Today, Coquitlam is a bustling city with a rich history and a promising future.
Coquitlam is located approximately 10 to 15 km east of Vancouver. The city is bordered by Burnaby and Port Moody to the west, New Westminster to the southwest, and Port Coquitlam to the southeast. Coquitlam's northern boundary is formed by Burke Mountain, Eagle Ridge, and the 1,583 m tall Coquitlam Mountain.
The city spans an area of 152.5 square kilometres, making it about six times larger than either Port Moody or Port Coquitlam. Coquitlam operates under the Pacific Time Zone and is part of the Pacific Maritime Ecozone.
Coquitlam's geographic shape resembles a tilted hourglass, with two larger parcels of land connected by a smaller central section. The city's original core, Southwest Coquitlam, is home to Maillardville and the Fraser River industrial sector. The Austin Heights area is known for its urban fishing and recreation area, Como Lake, and Mundy Park, one of the largest urban parks in the Metro Vancouver area.
Coquitlam Town Centre, designated as a "Regional Town Centre" under Metro Vancouver's Livable Region Strategic Plan, is home to many public buildings, including City Hall, a branch of the Coquitlam Public Library, an R.C.M.P. station, Coquitlam's main fire hall, and the David Lam Campus of Douglas College.
Coquitlam has an oceanic climate, characterized by mild temperatures and high precipitation. The city's proximity to the mountain slopes results in heavy precipitation, especially during the fall and winter months. Coquitlam is located in one of the warmest regions in Canada, with an average mean annual temperature of 10.2 °C.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Coquitlam had a population of 148,625 living in 55,949 of its 58,683 total private dwellings. The city's population is diverse, with about 44% of residents being foreign-born.
The 2016 census found that English was the mother tongue of 50.47% of the population. The next most common languages were Mandarin and Cantonese. The south slope of Coquitlam, which includes Maillardville, has a pocket of French speakers.
Coquitlam was designated as a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2009 by the Department of Canadian Heritage. The city offers a plethora of cultural and leisure activities, thanks to its proximity to Vancouver and the rest of the Lower Mainland.
Coquitlam is served by TransLink, which is responsible for both public transit and major roads. The city has four SkyTrain stations on the Millennium Line, part of the Evergreen Extension. The West Coast Express provides commuter rail service to downtown Vancouver and as far as Mission.
Coquitlam manages four all-age community centres and two senior community centres, providing a range of activities and services for residents of all ages.
Coquitlam maintains sister city relationships with Foshan, People's Republic of China, and Paju, South Korea. These relationships foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the cities.
