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Science Geography

British Columbia Place Names

Third Edition

by (author) G.P. (Philip) V. Akrigg & Helen Akrigg

Publisher
UBC Press
Initial publish date
Nov 1997
Category
Geography, General
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780774806374
    Publish Date
    Nov 1997
    List Price
    $32.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780774806367
    Publish Date
    Nov 1997
    List Price
    $100.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780774853026
    Publish Date
    Oct 2007
    List Price
    $24.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Elephant Crossing. Houdini Needles. Miniskirt, Tickletoeteaser Tower, and Why Not Mountain. These are just some of the many names of places, rivers, mountains, and lakes that you will come across in the newest edition of British Columbia Place Names. This classic which, in its various editions, has sold over 29,000 copies, covers about 2,500 geographical features, cities, towns, and smaller communities in the province.

 

The book abounds with fascinating historical facts, stories, and remarkable characters involved with the names of towns, cities, rivers, lakes, mountains, and islands. The selection was determined by the geographical importance of the feature as well as story of the naming. In the introduction the authors deal with the stages by which B.C. acquired its place names, the history of research into those names, and the categories into which they fall. The latter range from the honorific and commemorative to the comic and disrespectful. Aboriginal names receive particular attention. The location of each place is clearly indicated and the text is accompanied by detailed maps. Brief biographical accounts of persons with places named after them as well as an abundance of anecdotes make this a fascinating book for browsers and an invaluable resource for historians.

About the authors

Contributor Notes

Philip and Helen Akrigg have spent the past 40 years tracing the colourful origins of B.C.'s place names. Prior to his retirement, Philip Akrigg was a professor in the Department of English at the University of British Columbia. Helen Akrigg taught in the Department of Geography at the University of British Columbia and is a former president of the British Columbia Historical Association.