Kimberley, a city nestled in southeast British Columbia, Canada, is a gem waiting to be discovered. Located along Highway 95A, between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains, Kimberley is a city with a rich history and a vibrant tourism scene.
Kimberley's history dates back to 1896 when it was named after the Kimberley mine in South Africa. From 1917 to 2001, Kimberley was home to the world's largest lead-zinc mine, the Sullivan Mine. The city was incorporated on March 29, 1944, and later amalgamated with the former Village of Marysville on November 1, 1968.
In 1972, following the rerouting of Highway 95 away from the city, Kimberley transformed into the Bavarian City of the Rockies to attract motorists passing through the region. The Sullivan Mine, Kimberley's primary mine, was the largest lead-zinc mine in the world until its operations ceased in 2001.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Kimberley had a population of 8,115 living in 3,595 of its 4,263 total private dwellings. This marked a 9.3% increase from its 2016 population of 7,425. With a land area of 60.51 km2 (23.36 sq mi), Kimberley had a population density of 134.1/km2 (347.3/sq mi) in 2021.
While Kimberley's historical population was closely tied to activities at the Sullivan Mine, the city's high-speed internet and scenic location have enabled growth in tech and tourism since the 2000s.
Today, Kimberley is primarily a tourist destination, home to the Kimberley Alpine Resort, a ski area, and Kimberley's Underground Mining Railway. This unique attraction features a 750-foot-long (230 m) underground mining interpretive centre complete with operational 3 ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge railway equipment.
The city also boasts the "largest freestanding cuckoo clock in Canada". In the 1970s, Kimberley began developing a Bavarian-themed village, inspired by Leavenworth, Washington. Although the city no longer maintains this theme, it remains a charming destination for visitors.
Kimberley is served by the Canadian Rockies International Airport, making it easily accessible for tourists from around the world.
Kimberley has a continental climate with semi-arid influences. The nearby mountains provide heavy moderation, blocking arctic air masses and producing a rain shadow. The city's fairly high elevation slightly counters this effect, resulting in somewhat cooler temperatures and slightly more rainfall than it would otherwise experience.
Kimberley is not just about history and tourism; it's also a haven for nature lovers. The city houses the largest urban park in Canada, the Kimberley Nature Park. Spanning 1,977 acres (800 ha), it's the largest incorporated park in Canada.
Recreational pursuits in Kimberley include world-class skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, fishing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, biking, hiking, and golfing on championship golf courses.
In 2015, SunMine, the largest solar PV plant in Western Canada, was built on the site of the former Sullivan Mine concentrator, further cementing Kimberley's commitment to sustainable living.
Discover Kimberley, British Columbia, and experience a unique blend of history, adventure, and natural beauty.
