Shuswap Highland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shuswap Highland |
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Subalpine area on Crowsfoot Mountain, north of Shuswap Lake
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Approximate boundary of the Shuswap Highland
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| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Coordinates | 51°15′N 119°20′W / 51.250°N 119.333°W |
| Part of | Bonaparte Plateau and Thompson Plateau |
The Shuswap Highland is a large, hilly area in British Columbia, Canada. It covers about 14,511 square kilometers (5,603 square miles). This region is like a mix of flat areas (plateaus) and rolling hills.
It stretches between the Bonaparte Plateau and Thompson Plateau. You can find it from Mahood Lake in the southeast of the Cariboo Plateau. It goes southeast towards the lower Shuswap River, which is east of Vernon in the Okanagan area.
The Shuswap Highland is not one big mountain range. Instead, it's made of many smaller uplands. These uplands are separated by river valleys. Important rivers like the Clearwater, North Thompson, and Adams River flow through it. There are also lower areas near Shuswap Lake.
In these valleys, you'll find towns like Falkland, Westwold, and Monte Creek. They are located along Highway 97. This area also includes the Spa Hills and other small groups of hills. These hills are found between the main Thompson Plateau and Shuswap Lake. The highest point in the Shuswap Highland is Matterhorn Peak. It is part of the Dunn Peak area and stands 2,636 meters (8,648 feet) tall.
The Shuswap Highland acts like a transition zone. It sits between the wider, flatter plateaus to its west and southwest. To its east and northeast, it meets the taller Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Think of it as the foothills leading up to the bigger mountains.
Climate and Weather
The weather in the Shuswap Highland changes a lot. In the higher mountain areas, especially further north, the climate is sub-alpine. This means it's cool, with lots of snow in winter.
Around Shuswap Lake, the climate is different. It's more temperate and continental. This means it has warmer summers and colder winters. It can also be semi-arid, which means it's quite dry.
See also
In Spanish: Altiplano de Shuswap para niños
