NATURAL LANDSCAPE

This is Fraser River alongside Abbotsford. You can see Sumas Mountain from here as well. 

 

Abbotsford, located between the Coast and Cascade mountain ranges, is the biggest city in British Columbia by area ("Geography", n.d.). Nearby bodies of water include: the Pacific Ocean, the Fraser River, Boundary Bay and Harrison Lake. 

Abbotsford is located in the West Coast forest vegetation region, where there are excellent growing seasons of about 177 days ("Frost Chart for Canada", n.d.). There are huge trees which have played a very important role in British Columbia's forest industry. These include forests of Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, red cedar, and western hemlock. The maritime climate (high precipitation rate and low temperature range) is what allows these trees to grow to over 50 metres in height (Clark, B., Wallace, J., & Earle, K., 2006). 

The main landscapes are Sumas Mountain, Fraser Valley and McKee Mountain. One major tourist attraction are the Bridal Veil Falls.

Sumas Mountain: Sumas Mountain is Abbotsford's signature mountain. It rises to a height of 910 m ("Geography", n.d.) from the floodplain. Sumas mountain used to be a source of brick-clay for the mining community of Clayburn and there were many trees to log for the logging industry as well. Even though more and more urbanization is taking place in the area, the remainder is left alone for an access road to a BC Hydro tower and a system of wilderness trails and wildlife.

Fraser Valley/River: Located in southwestern British Columbia, The Fraser Valley is the area of the Fraser River basin downstream from the Fraser Canyon.

McKee Mountain: McKee Mountain is full of geological life; deposits of sandstone and conglomerates have been left behind from various glacial advances. They are so compressed that their consistency is similar to the consistency of concrete.

Bridal Veil Falls: Bridal Veil Falls, dropping at exactly 122 metres ("Bridal Veil Falls | Vancouver Trails. n.d."),  are one of the most highest falls in Canada. It is fed by a small stream from the north slopes of Mount Archibald and the falls veil over the side of the Fraser Valley to conjoin with the flat farmlands below.

Advantages/ Disadvantages of Abbotsford's Landscape

What Has Helped Abbotsford Grow?

When people started settling in this area from Europe, the Canadian Pacific Railway was beginning to be built to promote settlement in the west. A station in Abbotsford was built, which helped increase the population abundantly. In addition to this the tourism has also attracted many people to the area causing them to like it so much to move here. Also, by living in this area, the land is excellent for farming/ agriculture, which has attracted many farmers and producers. Being close to the Pacific Ocean other major bodies of water has definitely helped increase the population. Lastly, the Trans-Canada Highway goes right through Abbotsford allowing easy transportation and access to other places.