Esquimalt, District municipality and railway point in Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada.
Esquimalt is a district municipality on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, positioned between Victoria to the east and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the south. The area combines coastal land with military installations alongside residential neighborhoods and community spaces.
British Royal Navy facilities were established in 1855 to treat soldiers from the Crimean War, forming the initial European settlement. Military presence shaped its development and remained a defining feature across generations.
The name Esquimalt comes from the Lekwungen language of the Songhees Nation and refers to brackish water in their traditional territory. The area maintained its connection to the region's Indigenous people even as European settlers arrived later.
The area is readily accessible by public transportation and offers access to beaches, parks, and community facilities for both visitors and residents. Most local services and amenities are located in central or easily reached areas.
The Royal Navy seized original Lekwungen territory here during the 1800s for military purposes. This takeover and subsequent use reveal the complicated history between European powers and the region's Indigenous peoples.
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