Okanagan, Geographic region in British Columbia, Canada.
Okanagan is a region in British Columbia, Canada, stretching along a chain of lakes between the Columbia and Cascade mountain ranges. The valley connects several towns through rolling hills and wide plains, surrounded by forested slopes and rocky heights.
Interior Salish peoples lived here for thousands of years before European fur traders arrived in the early 19th century. Later, fruit farming and wine production became the defining industries of the valleys.
The name derives from the Indigenous word ukʷnaqín, describing the visible connection between people and mountain peaks. Vineyards on the slopes and orchards throughout the valleys shape the landscape today, passed down through generations of farming families.
Highway 97 connects the larger towns and makes orientation easier along the lake chain. Pedestrian zones in the town centers allow comfortable exploring without a car, while summers tend to be warm and dry.
The southern part contains Canada's only desert landscape with cacti and sagebrush. The area receives about 2000 hours of sunlight each year, more than many other Canadian regions.
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