There are two municipalities that use the name North Vancouver. These include the City of North Vancouver and the District of the same name. While the City and District are separate, each with their own mayors, councils, and operations departments, they share several amenities such as their school board and police forces.

There are, however, some distinct differences between the two municipalities. The District is by far the larger of the two. Bounded by Capilano River on the west, Indian Arm on the east, Burrard Inlet to the south, and the mountains to the north, it sprawls in an east-west direction across the mountain slopes, characterized by rugged terrain, frequent rain and steep and winding roadways. The District is primarily made up of single-family residential housing. It has more than twice the population of the City, but with a much lower population density. A series of small, village-like commercial areas such as Edgemont and Lynn Valley serve as community hubs.

The City of North Vancouver has a much more urban feel. Surrounded on all sides by the District, the City is home to the majority of the North Shore's apartment buildings, rental properties, and commercial operations. As with the District, there are industrial sites along the shore of Burrard Inlet, although in recent years several of these have begun to convert to residential and commercial areas. The City also boasts the lovely Lonsdale Quay market and a Seabus terminal that links the region to downtown Vancouver. With its urban landscape that differentiates it from nearby West Vancouver, planners have identified North Vancouver City as the "downtown" of the North Shore.

The rugged nature of the North Shore Mountains, including Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour, have contributed to this area's reputation for hiking, skiing, and mountain biking, which is growing in popularity every year. Many trails are featured in popular mountain biking videos. The District is also home to the renowned Grouse Grind hiking trail, a steep vertical climb sometimes referred to as "God's Stairmaster."

The Capilano River is the site of the Capilano Suspension Bridge, one of the biggest tourist attractions on the North Shore, and the larger cousin to the nearby Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. Indian Arm, an offshoot of Burrard Inlet, is well known for its sea kayaking and is the setting for the picturesque village of Deep Cove.

Community Resources

North Vancouver Museum and Archives
www.dnv.org/nvma North Vancouver's diverse and colourful past is reflected in the extensive collections of the North Vancouver Museum and Archives. Presentation House Art Centre, at 4th Street and Chesterfield Avenue

Community Centres and Parks
www.northvanrec.comNorth Vancouver has 16 community centres with swimming pools, ice rinks and athletic facilities. Parks information can also be found here.

North Vancouver District Public Library
www.nvdpl.ca 1280 E 27th, North Vancouver, (604) 984-0286

North Vancouver City Library
www.cnv.org/nvcl 121 West 14th Street, North Vancouver, V7M 1P2, (604) 998-3490

North Vancouver School Board
www.sd44.bc.ca

Recycling / Garbage
Located at the south foot of Riverside Drive, just east of the Second Narrows Bridge in North Vancouver. This municipal facility serves the whole North Shore.

City of North Vancouver Municipal Hall
www.cnv.org/ 141 West 14th Street North Vancouver, BC V7M 1H9 Tel: 604-985-7761

District of North Vancouver Municipal Hall
www.dnv.org 355 West Queens Road, P.O. Box 86218 North Vancouver, B.C. V7N 4N5 (T) 604-990-2208