Ontario County Map

The table is a list of census divisions of Ontario Counties and their population counts from the 2016 census.

About province :

Ontario is a province in Canada named after the famous Lake Ontario. It is located in the east-central region of the country and is home to the capital city of Ottawa as well as the commercial city of Toronto. If you are looking for culture and sophistication, with a liberal dose of natural beauty, then Ontario is the destination for you. The province came into existence in 1788 as a part of the province of Quebec, but it was through the British North America Act of 1867 that Ontario attained the status of a province with Toronto as its capital.

Geography :

The province measures 1,076,395 sq km and most of it consists of vast stretches of sparsely populated undulating land. The northwestern and central area is occupied by the Canadian Shield, which is thinly populated but a rich source of minerals. The province has no major mountains; the southern part of the province, especially near the USA border is flat plain and contains the highest concentration of population in the district. This region is occupied by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Valley. Hudson Bay and James Bay lie to the north of the province. The land bordering the coast is swampy with scattered forests and has a very little population. The highest point of the province is the Ishpatina ridge which rises to 693 m. The province contains around 250,000 freshwater lakes and is also home to the spectacular Niagara Falls.

The province has a humid continental climate with significant local variations. Summers are mostly warm and humid, and winters are cool and dry. The various water bodies exercise considerable influence on the climate.

How to reach (transport) :

The transport system of the province is well developed. You can enter through one of the eight international airports located in Toronto, Hamilton, London, Sudbury, Windsor, Ottawa, and Thunder Bay. Flights are available to most major destinations of the world. Besides, railway communication in Ontario is equally popular. For instance, VIA Rail Canada, Ontario Northland Rail Services, and Algoma Central Rail connect the province with the Algoma country.

The 400 series highways are a controlled set of highways designed to direct high-speed traffic to various destinations like Quebec, Toronto, Ottawa, Vaughan, Queenstown, etc. If you are interested in traveling to any of these destinations, then you can follow the highway routes. Buses and hired cars are readily available. Transportation options like ferries and boats are also popular in Ontario. The province also enjoys the facilities of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Besides, the Rideau Canal and the Trent Severn waterway also serve the province.

When to visit :

The best time to visit Ontario is from June to August. Both the summer and winter seasons provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, while the brilliant fall colors are added attractions. It is best to avoid the time from March to May when it is generally foggy and overcast.

Culture (Fairs and Festivals) and Traditions :

The province has a sophisticated and highly mixed culture. Many events and festivals take place in the province, some of these are as follows :

• The Canadian Aboriginal Festival is celebrated towards the end of November. This is the largest aboriginal culture festival in North America where aboriginal people from all over the continent demonstrate their music, dance, and culture.
• Canada Day is celebrated on 1st July and it attracts thousands of people. A huge street festival is held with concerts, cultural shows, rides, petting zoos, fireworks, picnics, and many more.
• The Canadian National Exhibition is held in Toronto in August. A three-day air show is held followed by street shows, games, parties, and Mardi gras parades.
• The Canadian Tulip festival is held in May in Ottawa. More than 3 million varieties of tulips are showcased over an event spanning 18 days, the largest global event of its kind.
• The Luminato is a ten-day festival held in June in Toronto, where gifted people demonstrate their talents in music, dance, visual arts, fashion, films, etc.
• From April to the end of October, the Shaw festival pays exclusive homage to the plays of the great Bernard Shaw.
• The Stratford Shakespeare festival is one of the largest events of its kind running from June to October in Stratford. This is a celebration of theater where plays of Shakespeare and others are staged on four stages.
• The Winter festival of lights is celebrated throughout November, December, and January over Niagara Falls. You can see more than 120 spectacular illuminations.

Apart from this, the International Film Festival, International Jazz festival, Winterlude, and many other festivals are celebrated in Ontario.

Points of interest (places to visit) :

Ontario has something to offer to every taste. Some of the most interesting places to see are as follows:

• The CN Tower is the highest free-standing structure in the world, rising to 553 m, and the ride on the glass elevator is a much sought-after tourist experience.
• The Casa Loma is a 98-room mansion. This historic building, built between 1911 and 1914, is a beautiful example of the architectural style of that period. It also houses a museum and is surrounded by a five-acre garden.
• The Royal Ontario Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canadian Museum of civilization, etc. are some of the fascinating sights of Ontario.
• You can catch historical re-enactments at the Old Fort William in Thunder Bay.

Accommodation :

Ontario provides a vast variety of accommodations. The most expensive and luxurious options are Park Hyatt and Windsor Arms, while 4-star accommodations are provided by Fairmont, Sheraton Gateway, Arc, So Ho, Grand Hotel, Westin, etc. Three-star accommodations are provided by Comfort, Gladstone, Victoria, Courtyard, Lord Elgin, Four Points, and many more. Hostels and bed and breakfasts are plentiful in Ontario.