Why is Richmond so Chinese refers to Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, suburb of Vancouver, which has over 70 percent Asian population mostly Chinese, due to immigration history, geography, and cultural factors. Richmond, BC, population 210,000, located south of Vancouver, has highest percentage of Chinese in North America, with over 50 percent Chinese Canadian, due to several reasons. First, immigration from Hong Kong in 1980s and 1990s before Hong Kong handover to China in 1997, many Hong Kong families moved to Vancouver area for stability, choosing Richmond for affordable land and proximity to airport, establishing community. Second, second wave of immigration from mainland China in 2000s and 2010s for education and business, with Richmond having good schools and safe environment. Third, Richmond has strong Chinese infrastructure, with Chinese shopping centers like Aberdeen Centre, Parker Place, Chinese supermarkets, restaurants, and services in Chinese language, making it comfortable for Chinese immigrants, creating network effect where new immigrants join existing community. Fourth, geography, Richmond is flat with farmland converted to housing, affordable compared to Vancouver proper in 1990s, attracting immigrants. Fifth, Vancouver International Airport located in Richmond makes it gateway for immigrants. So Richmond so Chinese due to Hong Kong immigration in 80s 90s, mainland China immigration later, Chinese shopping centers and services, and network effect, making it most Chinese city in North America.
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