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Kelowna
Kelowna Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.

Kelowna

British Columbia, Canada
Written and fact-checked by
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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News •

Japan’s Mao Shimada wins gold at Skate Canada International • Nov. 1, 2026, 2:00 AM ET (Toronto Star)
Japan's Mao Shimada leads in Kelowna after short program • Oct. 31, 2026, 5:27 PM ET (CBC)
Kelowna man named Canadian backyard ultra national champ after running nearly 550 km over 82 hours • Oct. 20, 2026, 10:00 PM ET (CBC)
'How hard could it be?': Kelowna candidate with viral signs gets elected • Oct. 20, 2026, 9:43 AM ET (CBC)
Mayor of Kelowna election results • Oct. 17, 2026, 10:21 PM ET (CBC)

Kelowna, city, southern British Columbia, Canada. It lies 80 miles (129 km) north of the U.S. (Washington) border, on the east shore of Okanagan Lake (there bridged), 284 miles (457 km) east-northeast of Vancouver. Kelowna originated around a mission established about 1859 by Father Charles Pandosy, of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who planted trees and formed the basis for an apple industry.

The city is now the focal point for one of Canada’s largest fruit-growing districts. Lumbering, fruit packing and canning, tree nurseries, wine making, and machine-shop working are the economic mainstays. An international regatta has been held each summer since 1906, and tourism is an increasingly important source of income. The name Kelowna is a corruption of an Indian word for “grizzly bear.” Inc. city, 1905. Pop. (2011) 117,312; (2021) 144,576.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Jeff Wallenfeldt.
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