Castlegaris the second largest city in theWest Kootenayregion ofBritish Columbia,Canada.It is located within theSelkirk Mountainsat the confluence of theKootenayandColumbia Rivers. It is a regional trade and transportation centre, with a local economy fueled by forestry, mining and tourism. It was recently cited as one of the Top 8 Places in British Columbia for most promising growth.It is home toSelkirk College, a regional airport, a pulp mill, and several sawmills. The population of 7,259 people includes a large number ofDoukhobors, who were largely responsible for much of Castlegar's early development and growth.