Thompson-Nicola Regional District

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is a regional district in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Canada 2006 Census population was 122,286. The administrative offices are in the main population centre is the city of Kamloops, which accounts for almost 65 percent of the regional district's population. The only other city is Merritt; however, there are locally important communities such as the district municipality of Logan Lake, and the villages of Chase, Ashcroft, and Cache Creek. The region is named indirectly for the Thompson River by way of the traditional regional names of "the Thompson Country" and "the Nicola Country"; the Nicola Country was named for Chief Nicola and was originally "Nicola's Country", where he held sway; he is also the namesake of that river. The region is known for its sports and outdoors activities and also its largely arid, sunny climate and "Wild West" scenery and culture.

Geography and climate

The southern portion of the region has a semi-desert climate, with many nearly barren hillsides, and often experiences the hottest summer conditions anywhere in Canada. Ranching and fruit-growing at lower elevations take up much of the land usage. The less populated northern section is mountainous and largely forested with deeper valleys. The Columbia Mountain range is in the north-east, which has alpine glaciers below its summits. It receives more snowfall and rainfall than further south, and has an all-around cooler climate but with dry summers. The total land area of the region is 44,476.73 km² (17,172.56 sq mi).

The northern part of the regional district is focussed on the community of Columbia, which is the largest settlement on Highway 5 north of Kamloops. From there up the North Thompson and up the Clearwater River the country is increasingly alpine in nature, comprising sections of the Cariboo Mountains, Monashee Mountains and Shuswap Highland. The Clearwater River country, often referred to as the Wells Gray-Clearwater Country, is known for its many volcanic features (see Wells Gray-Clearwater volcanic field, including waterfalls cut into the lava plateau which typifies the lower elevations in this area, including Mahood Falls, Helmcken Falls and others.

Major highways

Communities

*Ashcroft
*Blue River
*Barriere
*Brookmere
*Cache Creek
*Chase
*Clearwater
*Clinton
*Kamloops
*Logan Lake
*Lytton
*Merritt
*Savona

Demographics

The population of the region was 122,286 as of the 2006 Census.

References

* [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5933&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Thompson-Nicola&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=59&B1=All&Custom= Community Profile: Thompson-Nicola Regional District, British Columbia; Statistics Canada]
* [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5933&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=thompson&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= Community Profile 2006: Thompson-Nicola Regional District, British Columbia; Statistics Canada]

External links

* [http://www.tnrd.bc.ca Official site]