I found this great image from National Geographic:

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0408/feature7/images/ft_hdr.7.jpg

It does a great job of highlighting this geo-political quirk & it's proximity to Vancouver, BC. The Vancouver suburb of Tsawwassen, where the ferry to Swarz Bay (Victoria) is located, is directly across the border.


Point Roberts, WA with Vancouver, BC in the distance:

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/wa/point_roberts/2001/prh2001_004.jpg

Say, is there any chance the US may agree to turn it over to Canada, given all the increased border security, and the costs and hassles that come with it? It already depends on Canada for all its utilities, many emergency services and transportation to the mainland anyways.

If they want something in return, I suppose we can give them Quebec. :D

I think US can exchange it for a small parcel of Surrey(of similiar size & population)

Actually a lot of Canadians like point roberts so they can go get cheap(er) gas. I swear that place has more gas stations per capita than anywhere else.

The U.S. agreement on the 49th parallel was a fair deal. It was either that or take more territory into present day canada.

Better yet, let's have our entire state join Canada.

If it came up for a vote, I might just vote yes.

The U.S. agreement on the 49th parallel was a fair deal. It was either that or take more territory into present day canada.

You Americans sended thousands to present day Washington State and Oregon and everything south of present day B.C. to the Columbia River/Fort Vancouver would've been part of British Columbia if you didn't do this. Before that invasion, everybody knew the border between Britain and America would be drawn there.

My history is fuzzy on the issue, after the "pig war" who was it that decided the boundaries out in the straight? Wasn't it the king of germany or something like that?

Nice Pic! :D

I have the solution!!!

Trade Pt. Roberts for Campobello Island:

http://www.campobello.com/official.html

A few Vancouver Canucks have lived in Point Roberts for tax & U.S. citizenship/work reasons. All-Star Alexander Mogilny lived there when he played for the Canucks.

I have the solution!!!

Trade Pt. Roberts for Campobello Island:

http://www.campobello.com/official.html

No, we should trade it & the Northwest Angle for Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands.

Gulf Islands with Mt. Baker U.S.A. in the background:

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/ganges/2002/ggh2002_013.jpg

Thanks, but we'll keep Vancouver Is. & the Gulf Islands.

Another angle of Point Roberts. You can see where the border is; the thick Vancouver suburbs abruptly end along a straight line. Washington State is in the background across Boundary Bay.

http://www.globalairphotos.com/images/bc/point_roberts/2001/prh2001_016.jpg

Just a thought though. Is there anything to be gained by the Americans for holding onto that small piece of land? Are the tax base of the residents there and the fish revenue from its surrounding waters enough to offset the cost of border security there?

If they insist on keeping it, at least they should provide ferry service to and from the mainland there, so that border resources on both sides aren't so tied up needlessly.

Just a thought though. Is there anything to be gained by the Americans for holding onto that small piece of land? Are the tax base of the residents there and the fish revenue from its surrounding waters enough to offset the cost of border security there?

Cross that border some day. It is the smallest, most relaxing crossing around. The hordes of people buying gas in Point Roberts probably more than make up for the cost of the border crossing. There are 1,200 or so full time residents there, many importing income to the United States from Vancouver. The U.S. has it's own Vancouver, BC suburb that is as easy or easier to get to than other Vancouver suburbs such as Whiterock, Langley, & places east. Point Roberts is a great American asset.

Cross that border some day. It is the smallest, most relaxing crossing around. The hordes of people buying gas in Point Roberts probably more than make up for the cost of the border crossing. There are 1,200 or so full time residents there, many importing income to the United States from Vancouver. The U.S. has it's own Vancouver, BC suburb that is as easy or easier to get to than other Vancouver suburbs such as Whiterock, Langley, & places east. Point Roberts is a great American asset.

Sort of like Windsor, Ontario, but smaller?

Anyways, if that is their reason for keeping it, they should just make it a piece of US in officiality only, without a border crossing to Canada. Just make it freely accessible from Canada and like any other part of Canada, except for the fact that the residents have to pay taxes to the US government, and the US provides the government services to it. Can that be worked out?

That first pic posted is so cool.

Anyways, if that is their reason for keeping it,

The reason for keeping it is it is apart of the USA. It isn't that difficult to understand.

they should just make it a piece of US in officiality only, without a border crossing to Canada. Just make it freely accessible from Canada and like any other part of Canada, except for the fact that the residents have to pay taxes to the US government, and the US provides the government services to it. Can that be worked out?

Like I said above, cross that border crossing some time. It is the easiest around. It is not expensive or difficult to maintain the Pt. Roberts border.

The reason for keeping it is it is apart of the USA. It isn't that difficult to understand.



Like I said above, cross that border crossing some time. It is the easiest around. It is not expensive or difficult to maintain the Pt. Roberts border.
I have. I once got hassled, thoroughly questioned, was given a breathalyzer, and had my car thoroughly searched on my way back just like at any other border crossing. I've also seen long lineups there, and was denied entry because a passenger of mine didn't have the right ID.

Agricultural restrictions and soon-to-be passport requirements will apply there just as anywhere else, will they not?

Was your last trip there before or after 9/11, by the way?

^ After 9/11 & was waived through. I do have Washington plates though but was waived through on the Canada side just as easily too. You are the first person I have ever heard hasseled at the Point Roberts border. As for lines, I am told they usually only occur around rush hour.

I was hasseled at the truck crossing in Blaine 20 minutes after entering Canada from Pt. Roberts; I didn't have a passport (which isn't required) & was hassled because I didn't.

either way...its part of the US...if you come onto US soil then they will check you.

You Americans sended thousands to present day Washington State and Oregon and everything south of present day B.C. to the Columbia River/Fort Vancouver would've been part of British Columbia if you didn't do this. Before that invasion, everybody knew the border between Britain and America would be drawn there.

lol, you don't know what you're talking about do you? Or maybe you do it's just so hard for me to tell because your grammar is so bad.

I saw that just yesterday :). Did you know that there is no school in Point Roberts? They have to be sent to Blaine every day, so they have to cross the border four times every day!

^ I visited Point Roberts a few years ago & followed the bus (empty after dropping off the students at home) & a Whatcom County Public Works truck, from the Point Roberts border crossing to the Truck Crossing in Blaine. It is about a 15 to 20 minute commute depending on border hassles.

I wonder if the people living in Point Roberts still think that all of Canada is an uninhabitable ice field.

JK. I heard their golf course is nice.

I wonder if the people living in Point Roberts still think that all of Canada is an uninhabitable ice field.

JK. I heard their golf course is nice.
Lol. Actually i know some people on The Point and they all love Canada. I heard somewhere that National Geographic did an article on Point Roberts, calling Tsawwassen, BC "strip mall hell". The people of Point Roberts complained, protested and demanded that National Geographic strip that from the magazine. Not too sure on the outcome of that though.

My mum lives on the Point. It has to be one of coolest places around. It is like a gulf Island you can drive to. The border can get pretty backed up in the summer with people going to the beach. My dad works at the golf course and it IS nice but expensive.

Lol. Actually i know some people on The Point and they all love Canada. I heard somewhere that National Geographic did an article on Point Roberts, calling Tsawwassen, BC "strip mall hell". The people of Point Roberts complained, protested and demanded that National Geographic strip that from the magazine. Not too sure on the outcome of that though.


The pic that inspired this thread is from that Natl. Geographic article. See post #1 in this thread.