Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert sits on Kaien Island near the mouth of the Skeena River and features North America's deepest natural ice-free harbor. The settlement marks the western end of the Yellowhead Highway and spreads along steep slopes between ocean and rainforest.

Charles Melville Hays founded the settlement in 1910 as the western terminus of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The harbor quickly developed into a major trade hub between Canada and Pacific Rim nations.

The city takes its name from the first governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, Prince Rupert of the Rhine, who never visited this coast. Fishermen and dockworkers shape daily life along the waterfront, where visitors can buy fresh catch directly from the boats in the morning.

The settlement is accessible by ferry from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island or by road from the interior. Waterproof clothing is necessary year-round, as rain can occur at any time.

With over 2600 millimeters (100 inches) of precipitation annually, the settlement ranks as Canada's wettest city. The constant moisture allows moss and lichen to grow on trees, rooftops, and street lamps.

Location: North Coast Regional District

Location: British Columbia

Inception: March 10, 1910

Founders: Charles Melville Hays

Elevation above the sea: 40 m

Website: https://princerupert.ca

GPS coordinates: 54.31219,-130.32708

Latest update: December 12, 2025 23:33