| Bella Coola is a community of approximately 600 at the western extremity of the Bella Coola valley. Bella Coola may actually refer to the entire valley, encompassing the settlements of Bella Coola, Lower Bella Coola, Hagensborg, Saloompt, Nusatsum, Firvale and Stuie. It is also the seat of the Central Coast Regional District.
Bella Coola (the entire valley) contains a population of 1900 as of the 2006 Canadian census. This was a drop of 17% from the 2001 census, when the population was 2289.
The primary geographical structure of the community, both in terms of physical structures and population distribution is the long, narrow Bella Coola River valley. The Alexander MacKenzie Highway (Highway 20, known over most of its length as the Chilcotin Highway) stretches from the Government wharf (on the Pacific Ocean) through the extent of the populated portion of the valley before climbing to the Chilcotin Plateau, and the entire population of the community lives either on this road or very near to it.
In recent years, the mountainous terrain around (and accessible from) the Bella Coola Valley has become a publicised destination for Heliskiing, with a number of skiing movies filmed in the area, and local companies advertising access to "1.5 million acres" (6,100 kmē) of terrain.
Bella Coola has a more diversified economy than might be expected among a population of its size. Fishing, forestry, public service (government/education), retail and tourism all contribute significantly to the economy. There is some limited agriculture, including an active farmers' market, a number of craftmakers and artists (including several celebrated Nuxalk artisans) and a fish hatchery. The only financial institution in Bella Coola is a branch of the Williams Lake & District Credit Union, heir to a sixty-plus-year tradition of the Bella Coola Valley Credit Union.
|
