Nanaimo is located on Vancouver Island off the west coast of British Columbia, a main entry port for ferries from Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay. Because of its location, it serves as a fine starting point to other attractions on the island as well as being a vacation highlight in itself. The name comes from the indigenous term "Sne-ny-mos" that referred to the gathering of the tribes. In 1849, coal was discovered and was mined here for 100 years.