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University of British Columbia overlooks the most majestic
setting of any place of learning in Canada. It is located
on a bluff, which commands a view of Strait of Georgia to
the West, mountains to the North and the mouth of the
mighty Fraser River to the south.
To the
East are the UBC Endowment Lands, which from a natural
barrier between university and the rest of Vancouver.
Those who teach, study and maintain the area live in a
somewhat secluded society, but one which is within easy
reach of the amenities a large city has to offer.
Museum
of Anthropology is an exciting stop on any tour of
University. Housed in a modern building of glass and
concrete, is one of the most important complete
collections of artifacts of Northwest Coast Indian culture
to be found anywhere. In addition, Museum has collections
from Asia, Africa, Pacific and elsewhere in Americas.
Displays vary from minute woven containers to magnificent
totem poles, which tower above visitor in Great Hall with
its 45 foot windows.
UBC is
famous for its Botanical Garden, which includes Rose
Garden, Alpine Garden, BC Native Garden and Nitobe Garden.
Since its dedication in 1960, Nitobe Memorial Garden has
attracted thousands of visitors with its two examples of
Japanese garden art. There is a small teahouse, where on
occasion elaborate tea ceremonies are held and a larger
theme garden, which represents the journey of life and the
varieties of nature.
No
description of UBC would be complete without mentioning
University Endowment Lands. Originally scheduled for
housing development, some 1700 acres are left undeveloped
from the initial 3000 acre tract. Controversy still exists
on the use of this land, but there are growing numbers,
who would like to see it preserved in a natural state. The
area has not been logged since 1905 and is a fine example
of second-growth coastal forest. Trails crisscross the
entire area.
From
its beginnings in 1908, when Point Gray site was approved,
through its struggling infancy, when University was housed
near Vancouver general Hospital and then the post World
War II boom, UBC has come to be one of Canada’s most
prestigious universities, with the second largest library
in Canada, and almost 400 buildings.
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