Statistics About Salt Spring Island
Population
With approximately 10,000 Islanders, Salt Spring Island is the most populous and the most frequently visited of the Southern Gulf Islands
Geography
Area: 182.7km2 (70.5 square miles)
Highest Point: Bruce Peak at 709 meters (2,326 feet) above sea level
Location
Off the Southwest coast of British Columbia, Canada. Salt Spring Island lies between Mainland B.C. and Vancouver Island to the west. (48° lat., 123.5° long.)
Climate
Our climate is envied by the rest of the country. We boast a moderate, sunny climate where seasons blend together almost imperceptibly. Fall rains announce the approach of a winter that usually stays above the freezing level. Snowfalls are rare, and are beautifully clean, pristine and very short-lived when they do occur.
Salt Spring is in the Canadian 'Banana Belt' with a moderate, sunny climate, and yes, we do grow bananas here. Plenty of sunshine, and approximately 36 inches. of rainfall per year. The island is a haven for year-round gardeners.
For more information:
- Read an Historical Account of Fruit Growing in the Gulf Islands, by local orchardist Harry Burton.
- Read about gardening in Salt Spring's Banana Belt from local expert "Banana Joe".
- Visit Apple Luscious Organic Orchards for a first-person account of fruit growing on Salt Spring Island
- Visit Salt Spring Seeds and see how many varieties of flowers and foods can be grown year-round.