Kelowna - Community Overview

The city was incorporated in 1905. The name Kelowna is a corruption of the First Nation word meaning “Grizzly Bear”. The history of the area involving European settlement began with the fur brigades in the early 19th century. Father Pandosy of the Oblate Order established a mission near the city in 1858. The apple trees he planted flourished, illustrating the fertility and potential of the area; in 1892 the first commercial orchards were planted and today Kelowna is the focal point of the largest fruit growing district in Canada. One-third of all apple shipments in Canada emanates from this city, thereby obtaining the nickname "Canada's Apple Capital".

Kelowna is the marketing and distribution centre of the fabulous Okanagan Valley. The city and surrounding area is the centre for a very large fruit tree industry, including grapes for the numerous world-renowned wineries. Lumbering is a key industry, with a number of new plants being established recently.

The City of Kelowna is situated on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, in the Okanagan Valley. Kelowna is located on Highway #97, midway between the cities of Penticton on the south and Vernon to the north, 150 km north of the United States border.

The population of Kelowna numbers approximately 106,707.

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