Fernie is a mountain community located in the southeast corner of British Columbia, Canada, surrounded by the Canadian Rockies. Founded in 1898 and incorporated as the City of Fernie in July 1904, the municipality has a year-round population of 4,200 with an additional 1,873 outside city limits under the jurisdiction of the RDEK. A substantial seasonal population swells the city during the winter months. Fernie lies on the Elk River, along Canada's southernmost east-west transportation corridor through the Rockies that crosses the range via the Crowsnest Pass, 40 kilometres (25 mi) to the east. As the largest and oldest community in the immediate area, Fernie serves as something of a regional centre.