Kamloops, Canada

Locator map for Kamloops, BC

Kamloops is a city in central British Columbia, Canada at the confluence of the two branches of the Thompson River. It is the seat of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. Kamloops is also the "Tournament Capital of Canada".

History

The Kamloops area was inhabited by the Secwepemc (Shuswap) nation (part of the Salishan speaking people) prior to the arrival of European settlers. The first European explorers arrived in 1811, and a fur trading post was established by David Stuart in 1812 for the Pacific Fur Company. This was bought out by the North West Company shortly after, and by 1821, the Hudson's Bay Company had control of the fur trade in Kamloops.

The gold rush of the 1850's and the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s brought further growth, resulting in the City of Kamloops being incorporated in 1893 with a population of about 500.

"Kamloops" is the anglicized version of the Shuswap word "Tk'emlups", meaning 'where the rivers meet'.

Kamloops and the Thompson River, 1886.

Industry

Major Kamloops-area industries include primary resource processing (pulp mill, copper mine, ranching) as well as tertiary services (provincial lottery headquarters). Kamloops is also a transportation hub for the region, with three major highways, and a semi-international airport.

Climate

While situated in a semi-arid desert valley, Kamloops winters are generally mild with an occasional cold snap. Snow is common from December to March. On the other hand, summers in Kamloops can be quite hot. Temperatures of above 40'C have been recorded.

Demographics

(according to Statistics Canada 2001 census)
Population: 77,281.
Growth Rate (1996-2001): 1.2%
Total Private Dwellings: 32,076
Area: 297.57 km²
Density: 259.7 people per km²

Mayor

Mel G. Rothenburger

Educational facilities

Kamloops is home to Thompson Rivers University, an undergraduate degree-granting university with satellite campuses in Clearwater, Barriere, Chase, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, Cache Creek, Ashcroft and Lillooet. They also have an open learning division.

There are 6 secondary schools in Kamloops: South Kamloops Secondary, North Kamloops Secondary, Westsyde Secondary, Valleyview Secondary, Sahali Secondary, and Brocklehurst Secondary.