Nanaimo City , Vancouver Island.

The MORTGAGE Centre / Essex &Kent Mortgage Corporation specializes in Mortgages, Mortgage Brokers, Lenders and Home Loans. We are located in the beautiful coastal city of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada on Vancouver Island.

Vancouver Island - History

The First Nations people have lived on Vancouver Island for centuries. The Island’s oldest known archaeological site, in Port Hardy, dates back more than 8000 years. The First Nations people were closely tied to the sea - they lived in coastal villages sheltered from storms during the winter, and moved to seasonal food gathering sites during spring, summer and fall. The abundance of their surroundings was matched by their rich cultural traditions expressed in complex ceremonies and art.

The first contact between native and non-native peoples was at Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island’s west coast. Britain and Spain nearly went to war over possession of the area, but their dispute was settled peaceably, granting access to the British.

Vancouver Island boasts the mildest climate in Canada.

Summertime is reliably warm and sunny, with frequent ocean breezes. Temperatures reach average highs in the mid 20's Celsius (70 to 80 Fahrenheit) but evenings can be cool.

In winter the Vancouver Island region is the most temperate of all British Columbia, with temperatures just below 0 Celsius (32 Fahrenheit).

City of Nanaimo

The word “Nanaimo” is derived from the Coast Salish word “Sney-Ny-Mous” meaning “meeting place.” Mining brought white settlers to this area more than 150 years ago, when the Hudson’s Bay Company established a trading post and fort. The year 1874 marked the incorporation of Nanaimo as a town with a population of 1,400. In 1975, the city amalgamated with a number of improvement districts, forming a new city.

Today, Nanaimo is Vancouver Island’s second largest city and is known as the Harbour City for its picturesque harbour. Nanaimo is easy to get to, and its central location makes it an excellent base for tours of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

Nanaimo is a great destination for conventions and business meetings, sporting events and activities, year-round golf getaways, romantic weekends, and a wide range of exhilarating adventures. Famous for its varied landscapes and more than two dozen parks, the city boasts one of the most beautiful waterfronts in Canada.