Colwood
The area that is now Colwood was originally one of four large farms established by the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1850's to supply the growing Fort of Victoria with food. Among its rich history are two popular landmarks, Fisgard Lighthouse, which was the first lighthouse built on Canada's west coast and Hatley Castle, a Samuel Maclure design built by former BC Premier James Dunsmuir in 1908. Hatley Castle and is 565 acre grounds is now the campus for Royal Roads University. The campus borders Esquimalt Lagoon, which is a bird and wildlife sanctuary and boasts trees surrounding it among the 10 biggest Douglas Firs in BC.
With a population of around 15,000 people, it is primarily a residential area and is one of five municipalities that make up the Western Communities, or West Shore.