B.C. Many people choose the valley as a place to retire or relocate to escape the congestion of the larger more congested city centres. The Okanagan offers a more relaxed lifestyle and a wide range of business opportunities. In the North Okanagan, forestry, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism dominate. B.C. More than half of the Okanagan's population resides in the Central Okanagan. Kelowna is the major centre of this region and the third largest city in British Columbia.
Fruit orchards provide the main and largest source of income.
Vineyards and winemaking have experienced extensive growth, as well. The wines produced in this area have won several international wine competitions. In the South Okanagan, agriculture thrives, in the form of orchards, new vineyards and wineries. Forestry and wood manufacturing has become a renewed resource, due to community based development projects. The South Okanagan is also close to major transportation routes and the U.S. border, which also makes it a convenient and accessible to more than 10 million consumers.