Thompson Country facts for kids

Kamloops is the main city in Thompson Country

The Thompson Country is a special area in the southern part of British Columbia, Canada. It's mostly defined by the land around the Thompson River, which is a big river that flows into the Fraser River. The largest city in this region is Kamloops. People sometimes call it "The Thompson" or "Thompson Valley."

What is Thompson Country?

Long ago, when fur traders from Scotland and England were exploring, they named this area. It was located between other important regions like New Caledonia to the north and the Columbia District to the south. Before them, French traders called it Couteau Country, which means "Knife Country."

Today, "Thompson Country" isn't an official name on maps. But people still use it! You might hear it in names like the Thompson-Okanagan region or the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. Weather forecasts and tourism guides also use "Thompson-Shuswap" to describe the area.

Parts of the Thompson River Area

Even though "Thompson Country" can mean the whole area around the Thompson River, it often refers to the land right next to the river itself. Smaller areas like Bonaparte Country or Nicola Country are usually talked about separately.

• The North Thompson refers to the valley of the North Thompson River.
• The South Thompson means the valley of the South Thompson River. It also includes Kamloops and towns west along the Thompson River, all the way to Spences Bridge.
• The Thompson Canyon is the deep valley from Spences Bridge down to Lytton. This part is often considered part of the larger Fraser Canyon.

Weather and Land in Thompson Country

Most of Thompson Country is very dry, almost like a desert. This is because it's in the "rain shadow" of the Coast Mountains and Cascade Range. These mountains block most of the rain clouds.

Hot Summers and Mild Winters

Because the valley floor is low, winters here are not too cold. But summers are super hot! The temperatures in summer are some of the highest in all of Canada. For example, Lytton often competes for the title of "Canada's Hot Spot," with summer temperatures often going above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Plants and Scenery

The land is covered with plants like sagebrush and open grasslands, which are great for ranching. As you go downstream from Savona, the Thompson River flows through a deepening canyon. You'll see desert plants and, higher up, hillsides covered with pine trees. Kamloops Lake is a big lake right in the middle of this region.

Main Jobs in the Area

For a long time, ranching has been a very important job, especially in the South Thompson and nearby areas. Logging (cutting down trees for wood) and tourism (people visiting for fun) are also big industries, especially in the North Thompson.

History of Thompson Country

A CN train travels through the Thompson River Valley near Ashcroft

Most of Thompson Country is the traditional home of the Secwepemc people. They have lived here for thousands of years and speak a language from the Salishan family. Further downstream, the Thompson and Nicola river basins are the lands of the Nlaka'pamux nations.

Early Settlements and Roads

The South Thompson area was one of the first places in the Colony of British Columbia where non-Indigenous people started to settle. Fur traders used a path called the Brigade Trail. This trail went from the Okanagan through Kamloops and was important for connecting different parts of the region. Later, a part of this trail became a key section of the Cariboo Road, which linked the Fraser Canyon to the goldfields further north. This road was very important for British Columbia's history.

Ranches and Railways

Many of the first ranches in this area are still running today. The Douglas Lake Ranch, for example, is one of the biggest ranches in the world. Near Cache Creek, historic places like Ashcroft Manor were once large land grants.

The history and economy of Thompson Country have been greatly shaped by the two major railway lines that follow the river. The Canadian National Railway runs along the North Thompson, and the Canadian Pacific Railway follows the South Thompson. These railways helped connect the region to the rest of Canada and made it easier to move goods and people.