Nanaimo is the second largest city on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Nanaimo began as a trading post in the early 1800s. The 1887 Nanaimo Mine Explosion killed 148 miners and was the largest man-made explosion until the Halifax Explosion. Nanaimo is now experiencing a great deal of growth, mainly in the old city area and on the waterfront. Nanaimo has an estimated population of 87,000 inhabitants.
Nanaimo is home to the oldest continuous community band in Canada, The Nanaimo Concert Band, they have been around since 1872.
Nanaimo is also home to Petroglyph Provincial Park, where visitors can view ancient petroglyph rock carvings and runes.
Newcastle Island is another provincial park in Nanaimo, and was at one time a world-renowned summertime tourist destination.