VANCOUVER, GEORGE

(d. 1798), Eng. sailor; accompazied Captain Cook, 1772-74, 1776-79; explored west coast of N. America. V. Island named after him, W.), island belonging to the Canadian province of British Columbia; separated on E. and N.E. from the mainland by Strait of Georgia and Queen Charlotte Sound, and from United States by Strait of Juan de Fuca; mountainous and Pop. 65,000. Capital, Victoria.