Ontario

Lore & Background

The province is bordered by Manitoba to the west, Hudson Bay and James Bay to the north, Quebec to the east and northeast, and several U.S. states to the south. The thinly populated Canadian Shield dominates the northwestern and central portions, comprising over half the land area, while the virtually unpopulated Hudson Bay Lowlands lie in the extreme north and northeast. Ontario's climate varies by season and location, with three main climatic regions: a moderate humid continental climate in the south, a moderate humid continental climate in central and eastern areas, and a subarctic climate in the northernmost parts.

Reader's Guide

Ontario holds central importance in Canada as the most populous province, containing both the national capital (Ottawa) and the country's largest city (Toronto). Its economy is highly diversified: Southern Ontario depends heavily on manufacturing and agriculture, while Northern Ontario's major industries are mining and forestry. The province's geography is marked by the Canadian Shield, which covers over half its land area and is rich in minerals, and the fertile Great Lakes-Saint Lawrence Valley in the south, where most of the population and arable land are concentrated. Northern Ontario covers approximately 87% of the province's surface area, yet Southern Ontario contains 94% of the population. Ontario's border with the United States is almost entirely defined by rivers and lakes, including the Great Lakes drainage system. The province's climate ranges from humid continental in the south to subarctic in the north, with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes common in summer. Notable geographic features include Niagara Falls, the Niagara Escarpment, and Point Pelee, the southernmost extent of Canada's mainland.

Did You Know?

• Point Pelee is the southernmost extent of Canada's mainland.
• Ontario averages 11 confirmed tornado touchdowns per year.