Kitimat, Industrial district municipality in North Coast region, British Columbia, Canada
Kitimat is a district municipality in northwestern British Columbia that stretches along a fjord arm surrounded by mountains and forests. The settlement sits at low elevation and centers around a major aluminum smelting operation.
A former fishing village was transformed into an industrial center in the 1950s through a major hydroelectric and smelting project. This project brought workers and infrastructure to the region, permanently reshaping the local economy.
The population of 8,131 residents includes European, Indigenous, Southeast Asian, and South Asian communities, forming a multicultural industrial municipality.
The municipality is reachable by road via the northern Coastal Highway and has basic shopping and dining options in the town center. Visitors should note that the area is isolated and should plan supplies or reservations in advance.
A mountain dam generates electricity specifically for aluminum production, making this one of the most energy-intensive places in the region. This link between hydropower and metal processing is uncommon and shapes the character of the area.
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