Oliver | |
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Town | |
Town of Oliver | |
Motto: "Borne of the Waters, Blest by the Sun" | |
Location of Oliver in British Columbia | |
Coordinates: 49°10′58″N 119°33′5″W / 49.18278°N 119.55139°W | |
Country | Canada |
Province | British Columbia |
Region | South Okanagan |
Regional district | Okanagan-Similkameen |
Village Incorporated | 1945 |
Village Founded | 1918 |
Town Incorporated | 1990 |
Government | |
• Governing body | Band Council, Town Council, RDOS Board |
• Chief/Mayor/Director | C. Louie, R. Hovanes, A.Patton |
Area | |
• Town | 4.88 km2 (1.88 sq mi) |
Elevation | 310 m (1,020 ft) |
Population (2011) | |
• Town | 4,824 |
• Density | 990/km2 (2,600/sq mi) |
• Urban | 5,175 |
Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
Postal code | V0H 1T0 |
Area code(s) | 250 / 778 / 236 |
Highways | BC 97 |
Waterways | Okanagan River |
Website | www |
Oliver is a town near the south end of the Okanagan Valley in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, with a population of over 4,000 people. It is located between Osoyoos and Okanagan Falls, and is labeled as the Wine Capital of Canada by Tourism British Columbia.
The community of Oliver is made up of land governed by three different bodies: the Town of Oliver, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and the Osoyoos Indian Band.
Local industries include grape and fruit production, agri-tourism, wine production, ranching, golfing and recreation, retail and service trades. Some of the largest employers include Osoyoos Indian Band, School District #53, Interior Health and Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative.
Named after John Oliver (1856–1927), Premier of British Columbia. "Honest John" and his government brought irrigation water and settlement lots to the area with the South Okanagan Lands Project.
The First Nations of the South Okanagan settled near the river, creeks and valley lakes. The first encroachment from the outside world came circa 1811, when fur traders came to the area with the establishment of Fort Okanagan (now in the US) and first penetrated the area for trade.