Kelowna (2006 population 106,707, metropolitan area 162,276) is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada.

Kelowna is the seat of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, the third-largest metropolitan area in British Columbia (after the Lower Mainland and Victoria), and the largest in the British Columbia Interior. With scenic lake vistas and a dry, mild Canadian climate, Kelowna has become one of the fastest growing cities in North America. The appropriate management of such rapid development (and its attendant consequences) is a source of significant debate within the community. Kelowna is the second most expensive housing market in Canada (behind Vancouver). Because of the Okanagan's climate and vineyard-filled scenery, it has sometimes been compared to California. Its name derives from a native term for "female grizzly bear." 

Kelowna from the sky
Kelowna also ranks as the 22nd largest metropolitan area in Canada.

First settled by missionaries in 1859, Kelowna was officially incorporated in 1905. Neighbouring towns include Westbank to the west across the lake, Lake Country and then Vernon to the north, Peachland to the southwest and further to the south, Summerland and Penticton.

Kelowna from the sky
The service industry employs the most people in Kelowna, the largest city in the tourist-oriented Okanagan Valley. In summer, boating is popular, and in winter, Alpine skiing at the nearby Big White Ski Resort.

Kelowna produces wines that have a worldwide reputation. Vineyards are common around and south of the city where the climate is ideal for the many wineries. Notable ones include the Mission Hill Estate Winery, specifically for its unique architectural design. However, at least two major wineries were damaged or destroyed in 2003 due to the Okanagan Mountain Park Fire. Kelowna is also the home of Sun-Rype, a popular manufacturer of fruit juice and snacks.

With roots dating back to 1965, Okanagan College is the predominant centre for vocational and undergraduate post-secondary education in Kelowna. With over 5000 full-time students it constitutes the largest college in British Columbia outside the Lower Mainland and Victoria. The University of British Columbia took over the North Kelowna campus of Okanagan University College (now Okanagan College) on July 1, 2005. While UBCO continues to offer many of OUC's undergraduate programs, UBC Okanagan also offers Engineering and Management undergraduate programs and has developed Graduate programs in most disciplines.

Kelowna from the sky
Kelowna was home to the late Premier of British Columbia, W.A.C. Bennett and is the birthplace of his son, William R. Bennett, who also served as Premier of the province.

Former Major League Baseball players, Jeff Zimmerman of the Texas Rangers, his brother Jordan Zimmerman, and Paul Spoljaric were born here. The city is also home to The Grapes of Wrath, one of Canada's most popular rock bands in the 1980s and early 1990s. Evangeline Lilly of the hit TV show Lost was discovered on the streets of Kelowna.

Enduring legend has it that various celebrities, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, own houses in the area; as Kelowna grows, celebrity-sightings are giving Ogopogo-sightings a run for their money.
 

(From Wikipedia)