<P> Vancouver shares its name with the larger city of Vancouver in southern British Columbia , Canada , approximately 300 mi ( 480 km ) to the north . Both cities were named after sea captain George Vancouver , but the American city is older ; Vancouver , B.C. , was incorporated 29 years after the incorporation of Vancouver , Washington , and more than 60 years after the name Vancouver was first used in reference to the historic Fort Vancouver trading post on the Columbia River . City officials have periodically suggested changing the U.S. city 's name to Fort Vancouver to reduce confusion with its larger and better - known northern neighbor . Many Pacific Northwest residents distinguish between the two cities by referring to the Canadian city as `` Vancouver , B.C. '' and the United States city as `` Vancouver , Washington , '' or `` Vancouver , USA . '' Local nicknames include `` Vantucky '' ( though this is often used as a derogatory term ) and `` The ' Couv ( e ) '' . In 2013 , the nickname `` Vansterdam '' surfaced as a result of the legalization of marijuana in the state of Washington ; this is a reference to the cannabis - legal city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands . </P>
<P> Vancouver shares its name with the larger city of Vancouver in southern British Columbia , Canada , approximately 300 mi ( 480 km ) to the north . Both cities were named after sea captain George Vancouver , but the American city is older ; Vancouver , B.C. , was incorporated 29 years after the incorporation of Vancouver , Washington , and more than 60 years after the name Vancouver was first used in reference to the historic Fort Vancouver trading post on the Columbia River . City officials have periodically suggested changing the U.S. city 's name to Fort Vancouver to reduce confusion with its larger and better - known northern neighbor . Many Pacific Northwest residents distinguish between the two cities by referring to the Canadian city as `` Vancouver , B.C. '' and the United States city as `` Vancouver , Washington , '' or `` Vancouver , USA . '' Local nicknames include `` Vantucky '' ( though this is often used as a derogatory term ) and `` The ' Couv ( e ) '' . In 2013 , the nickname `` Vansterdam '' surfaced as a result of the legalization of marijuana in the state of Washington ; this is a reference to the cannabis - legal city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands . </P>
how far is vancouver washington from vancouver canada
how far is vancouver washington from vancouver canada
approximately 300 mi ( 480 km )
approximately 300 mi ( 480 km )