Kelowna, Urban center on Okanagan Lake, British Columbia, Canada.
Kelowna is a big city on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada, set among mountains at 344 meters elevation. Vineyards and orchards spread through valleys around the city, while the lakefront features long sandy beaches and public parks.
Missionaries established the first settlements by the lake in the 1860s, before European settlers introduced fruit farming and ranching in the late 19th century. The construction of a steamship fleet from 1893 linked isolated communities along the lake and opened trade with coastal cities.
Wineries open their tasting rooms to visitors who sample wines directly on the estate, while growers sell cherries and peaches at markets near the shore. Beach bars and waterfront patios fill with locals on warm evenings, gathering to watch the sun drop behind the hills.
An international airport serves the region with domestic and seasonal overseas connections throughout the year. The road network links the city with communities all along the Okanagan Valley, while public buses reach main neighborhoods and beaches.
Nineteen golf courses lie around the area, often set on slopes with views over the water and vineyards. Mission Creek runs through the city and provides spawning grounds for salmon that swim upstream from the lake in autumn.
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