One in three Canadians calls Ontario home.
Diverse cultural backgrounds make up this vibrant province, a magnet for industry, the arts and innovation. From its varied landscape, to thousands of lakes, to fantastic tourism spots, Ontario is a study in contrasts with much to offer.
“There’s no place like this that I’ve been There’s no dream like this that I’ve seen There’s no home like this – hey hey hey Hey now, this is living There’s no other place like this for me” By Tomi SwikThe capital of Ontario is Toronto, Canada’s most populous city and metropolitan area.
Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is located in Ontario as well.
The province takes its name from Lake Ontario, which is thought to be derived from “Ontarí:io”, a Huron (Wyandot) word meaning “great lake”, or possibly “skanadario” which means “beautiful water” in Iroquoian. The province contains over 250,000 freshwater lakes.
The slogan to appear on licence plates in Ontario is “Yours to Discover”.
Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin)
(“Loyal she began, loyal she remains”)
Largest city: Toronto
Largest metro: Greater Toronto Area
Demonym: Ontarian
Confederation: July 1, 1867 (1st)
Area: Ranked 4th
Total 1,076,395 km2 (415,598 sq mi)
Land 917,741 km2 (354,342 sq mi)
Water 158,654 km2 (61,257 sq mi) (14.8%)
Population: Ranked 1st
Total (2013) 13,550,900
Density 14.77/km2
GDP: Ranked 1st
Total (2008) C$597.2 billion
Per capita C$43,847 (6th)
Abbreviations: Postal – ON; ISO 3166-2 – CA-ON
Time zone: UTC-5 & -6
Postal code prefix: K L M N P
Flower: White Trillium
Tree: Eastern White Pine
Bird: Great Northern Loon
While the north depends highly upon the rich source of natural resources and the south is heavily industrialized, service producing industries account for 70% of the province’s overall economy. Each city and town in Ontario has a unique history and economic make-up.
From southwestern Ontario up to the north, Ontario’s multiculturalism creates a unique cultural heritage, with diverse cities, languages and historical sights. Ontario has a huge array of diverse festivals and events take place all across the province.
Ontario is to us to discover. It is a four-season must-see travel destination. Ontario is a place of great outdoor adventures, engaging wineries, luxurious spas, compelling performances and welcoming inns. It is a playground for parents and kids alike. With a history that dates back at least 7,000 years, there is much to discover about the events and people that have shaped Ontario.
Ontario is located in east-central Canada, the largest by population and second largest among the provinces, after Quebec, in total area. Ontario is bordered by the provinces of Manitoba to the west and Quebec to the east, and five U.S. states (from west to east): Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania (the latter two across Lake Erie) and New York to the south and east. Most of Ontario’s 2,700km (1,677mi) long border with the United States runs along water, in the west the Lake of the Woods and eastward of there either on lakes or rivers within the Great Lakes drainage system: Superior, St. Marys River, Huron, St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Erie, Ontario and then runs along the St. Lawrence River from near Kingston to near Cornwall. For analytical and geographical purposes Ontario is often broken into two regions, Northern Ontario and Southern Ontario. The great majority of population and arable land in Ontario is located in the south, which contrasts with its relatively small land area in comparison to the north.
For the Ontario Profile section the following sources have been used:
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario
- www.statcan.gc.ca/
- www.fin.gov.on.ca/
- www.ontario.ca/
- www.economywatch.com
- en.wikipedia.org/
- www.ttc.ca/
- www.gtaa.com/
- www.gotransit.com/
- www.viarail.ca/
- www.greatlakes-seaway.com/
- www.mto.gov.on.ca
- www.mgs.gov.on.ca/
- www.canadabusiness.ca/
- www.serviceontario.ca/
- www.ontario.ca/economy
- www.ontario.ca/en/your_government/
