Cariboo Plateau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cariboo Plateau |
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Location of the Cariboo Plateau proper
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| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Coordinates | 51°42′32″N 121°33′00″W / 51.709°N 121.550°W |
| Part of | Fraser Plateau |
| Geology | Flood basalt |
The Cariboo Plateau is a large, flat, high area of land in south-central British Columbia, Canada. It's a special type of landform called a volcanic plateau, which means it was formed by ancient lava flows. The Cariboo Plateau is actually part of an even bigger area called the Fraser Plateau. This larger plateau stretches north from the United States.
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What is the Cariboo Plateau?
The Cariboo Plateau is located east of the Fraser River. To its west is another similar area called the Chilcotin Plateau. Sometimes, people mistakenly think the Chilcotin Plateau is part of the Cariboo Plateau. The southern edge of the Cariboo Plateau is usually considered to be the Bonaparte River.
The Cariboo Region: More Than Just a Plateau!
When people talk about "the Cariboo," they often mean a much larger area than just the plateau itself. This bigger region has a rich history and culture. It can stretch south towards the city of Kamloops and include towns like Lillooet. Even areas west of the Fraser River, like parts of the Chilcotin District, are sometimes included in this broader "Cariboo" identity.
The Cariboo region is usually split into three parts:
- North Cariboo: Its main town is Quesnel.
- Central Cariboo: The main town here is Williams Lake.
- South Cariboo: This part's main town is 100 Mile House.
The Quesnel Highland is a hilly area next to the plateau. It's also considered part of the Cariboo in a historical way. This is because it was home to the famous Cariboo Gold Rush. The town of Barkerville, a key place during the gold rush, is located here.
How the Cariboo Plateau Was Formed
The Cariboo Plateau was created by ancient lava flows. These flows happened a long, long time ago during the Late Miocene epoch. The lava came from what scientists call flood basalts. Imagine huge amounts of runny lava pouring out of cracks in the Earth. This lava spread out over vast areas, cooling and hardening to form the flat, high land we see today. These lava flows are part of a group of rocks called the Chilcotin Group. The volcanic activity that formed the plateau is linked to movements deep within the Earth's crust.
Exciting History of the Cariboo
The Cariboo region has played a big role in British Columbia's history. Some important events include:
- The Cariboo Gold Rush: This was a time in the 1860s when many people rushed to the area hoping to find gold. It brought a lot of changes and new people to the region.
- The building of the Cariboo Wagon Road: This road was built to help miners and settlers get to the goldfields. It was a huge project for its time.
- The Chilcotin War of 1864: This was a conflict between the Tsilhqot'in (Chilcotin) First Nation and colonial settlers.
A movie called The Cariboo Trail was even made in 1950. It was about the gold rush era in the 1890s.
Fun Things to Do in the Cariboo
The Cariboo region is a great place for outdoor adventures.
- Bowron Lake Provincial Park is a very popular spot for canoeing. It's located in the Cariboo Mountains, east of Quesnel.
- Part of Wells Gray Provincial Park is also in the Cariboo. This park is known for its beautiful waterfalls and wilderness.
