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Several major islands are found in the Strait, the largest being Texada Island and Lasqueti Island . The strait is a major navigation channel on the west coast of North America, owing to the presence of the Port of Vancouver. The two busiest routes of the British Columbia Ferries system cross the Strait, between Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (near Victoria) and between Horseshoe Bay (north of Vancouver) and NanaimoNanaimo (2004 pop. 77,000) is the second largest city on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It is about 55 km west of Vancouver, separated by the Strait of Georgia, but directly linked to Vancouver via BC Ferries. It is the seat of the Nanaimo.

While native communities have surrounded the Strait for thousands of years, the first European to explore it was Jose Maria Narvaez of SpainThe Kingdom of Spain is a country located in the southwest of Europe. It shares the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra. To the northeast, along the Pyrenees mountain range, it borders France and the tiny principality of Andorra. It inc, in 1791Events January 25 The British Parliament passes the Constitutional Act of 1791, splitting the old province of Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada March 3 The United States Congress passes a resolution calling for the establishment of the United States Mint. It received its current name (actually the "Gulf of Georgia" version) from George VancouverGeorge Vancouver ( June 22, 1757 May 12, 1798) was an officer of the Royal Navy, and an explorer best known for his exploration of North America and the Pacific coast along Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. He was born in King's Lynn, England. of Great BritainThe United Kingdom of Great Britain was created by the merger of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England in 1707 (see Act of Union 1707). A single parliament and government, based in Westminster in London, ran the entire kingdom. They had shared a monarch si in 1792Events January 25 The London Corresponding Society is founded. February 20 The Postal Service Act, establishing the United States Post Office Department, is signed by President George Washington. March 16 King of Sweden Gustav III Shot in the back by Jaco, during his extensive expedition along the west coast of North America.

Towns and cities on the strait include Courtenay / ComoxThe Town of Comox is on the east coast of Vancouver Island in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Comox has a population of approximately 12,200 people, and is home to Canadian Forces Base Comox and HMCS Quadra. The town shares the 'Comox Valley' wi, Qualicum BeachQualicum Beach is a city located in the Nanaimo Regional District, British Columbia. As of the 2001 census, the city had a total population of 6,921. History Qualicum Beach was officially incorporated on May 5, 1942. Geography Qualicum Beach is located at, Parksville, and Nanaimo on the western shore, as well as Powell River, Sechelt, Gibsons, and Greater Vancouver on the east. Across the border in the United States, Bellingham, Washington and other communities also lie on the eastern shore. Other settlements on Vancouver Island (such as Duncan) and the mainland are separated from Georgia Strait itself by islands, or are far enough south to be considered closer to Puget Sound.

In the late 1960s, Georgia Strait inspired the name of Vancouver's alternative newspaper, The Georgia Straight, which has published continuously since.

See also: Queen Charlotte Strait