The definition of a city is simply written as a large important town. However, Vancouver and Beijing are quite large and important. There are several differences.

The size of a city probably determines why it is important. Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada, and it consists of small cities such as Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond and New Westminster. Commonly, the above cities were put together into one area, which is called "Greater Vancouver". The population of the area is 1.8 million. The same as Vancouver, Beijing is the third largest city in China. It has a central area called "City of Beijing" and nine small surrounding cities. Beijing has a population of 11 million, which is about six times than that of the Great Vancouver.

Climate is part of natural resource. Climate in Vancouver is one of the factors that enabled the city to become one of the most famous cities in the world. When people living in some other parts of the Northern Hemisphere suffered "the heat" during last summer, people in Vancouver enjoyed the sunshine with an average temperature of under thirteen degrees. More than half of the annual rainfall happens in the wintertime in Vancouver. Beijing has the typical continental climate. A year is clearly divided into four seasons. The most rainfall usually happens in the summer.. Although, Beijing's winter is getting warmer because of the unusual changes in the enviornment, the average temperature of minus ten degrees in the winter in Beijing is still far colder than that of Vancouver.

Geographical condition is part of the beauty of a city. Vancouver is the kind of place which includes all geographical resources. Beautiful Grouse Mountain is located in the north side of the city. Fraser River is passing through the south side. Beaches are located on the west side which is facing the Pacific Ocean. Beijing is partially surrounded by the mountain of "Yanshan". Unlike Vancouver, there is no big river passing through the city of Beijing. Also, Ocean is not nearby.

Life style is a character of a city, it represents the people who are living there. Vancouver has a variety of life styles. People in Vancouver are from many different countries, and they speak different languages and keep their own tradition. Not all of the people seemed to be rich, but they believe that enjoyment, freedom, and equality are the most valuable things in their life. As the city is in the transitional period, Beijing seems to be more energetic on its economic life. People like to pay more attention to the surges of prices at the stock market rather than talking about who will become the next mayor.

Although different cities suit different people to live, the most important thing is whether of not people are happy with their life in the city that they are actually living in.