Cowichan Valley Regional District, Regional district in Vancouver Island, Canada.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District is an administrative area on Vancouver Island's eastern shore between Stuart Channel and Saanich Inlet. It includes several towns, rural areas, and coastal zones with access to islands and marine waters.
The district was created to organize services and planning across multiple communities including Duncan, Ladysmith, and Lake Cowichan. This coordination helped align development between urban and rural areas.
Within the district, Duncan features over 80 totem poles representing First Nations heritage, while local communities maintain strong agricultural and maritime traditions.
Attractions and services are spread across multiple locations throughout the area, so planning ahead helps. Access to islands and coastal areas may require ferries or private boats for some destinations.
The area includes several Gulf Islands such as Thetis, Penelakut, and Valdes, each with distinct character and environments. These island communities often escape notice but offer experiences quite different from the mainland.
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