Southern Ontario

Southern Ontario
Inner Ring
██ Core area ██ Extended area
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Area
• Total	139,931 km2 (89,949 sq mi)
• Extended area	13,112 km2 (5,062 sq mi)
• Core area	126,819 km2 (84,887 sq mi)
Population  (2006)
• Total	12,100,000
• Extended area	99,000
• Core area	12,001,000
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code prefixes	K, L, M, N
Area code(s)	226, 289, 343, 416, 519, 613, 647, 705, 905

Southern Ontario is the portion of the Canadian province of Ontario lying south of the French River and Algonquin Park. It is the southernmost region of Canada.

Southern Ontario contrasts very greatly from Northern Ontario. The region has a much larger population, different climate, and much different culture than its Northern counterpart. Northern Ontario and Southern Ontario can almost be viewed as two different provinces due their many dissimilarities. Southern Ontario can also be broken into smaller subregions, such as Eastern Ontario, Central Ontario, Southwestern Ontario or the Golden Horseshoe (which includes the Greater Toronto Area).

Identity

It is generally considered distinct from Northern Ontario, as it is far more densely populated and contains the majority of the province's cities, major roads, and institutions. Southern Ontario contains 94 per cent, or 12.01 million, of Ontario's total population of 12.9 million people, while the north, in contrast, contains more natural resources and remote wilderness. The south makes up approximately 15 per cent of the entire land area of the province as a whole. For an inland location, it has an abundance of fresh water coastline on three of the Great Lakes (Huron, Erie and Ontario) and smaller inland lakes, notably Lake Simcoe and Lake St. Clair (part of the Great Lakes system). It is a major vineyard region and producer of Canadian wines.

Some analyses can go as far as to consider the two regions as, essentially, separate provinces, due to the level of contrast. In fact, a large portion of the north did not become part of Ontario until 1912, 45 years after Ontario entered Confederation.

Demographics

Southern Ontario is home to over 12 million people, compared to fewer than 800,000 in the North. This is due to many factors including the more arable land in the south, its more moderate climate, well-used transportation (water, land and air) routes, proximity to populated areas of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States, as well as a long history of early settlers, and colonialism.

Southern Ontario was first colonized by the British and the French. After years of establishing the area other European Countries began to colonize, including the Germans, and the Dutch. The region still has many Native indian communities as well, with combined populations of over 200,000.

The region is one of the top destinations for immigrants worldwide. Some of the most well known cities of Southern Ontario are Barrie, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, London, St. Catharines-Niagara, Waterloo, and Windsor, and largest among them, Toronto and Ottawa (also part of the sub-region of Eastern Ontario).

The area has a large manufacturing sector. Since the mid 2000's Ontario produces more vehicles per year than the State of Michigan. It is part of the infamous Rust Belt. The Province's two largest cities Toronto and Ottawa however are very service oriented. With Toronto being home to all of the Major Canadian banks, and Ottawa being the capital of Canada.

Some parts of Southern Ontario are heavily entwined with bordering cities in New York and Michigan. The Niagara Region, and Detroit-Windsor areas in particular. Many people work and live on opposite sides of the border. The NEXUS program has become popular amongst bordering communities on both sides of the border. Communities within short commutes of Southern Ontario such as the Montreal area, and communities in Ohio, and Pensylvania, also have an affect on bordering communities on both sides of the border.

Attractions

The area is well known for its attractions and tourism. Some of the most popular tourist attractions are the CN Tower, Parliament Hill, Niagara Falls, National Gallery of Canada, Canada's Wonderland, CNE, Canadian War Museum, Toronto Zoo, Hockey Hall of Fame, Royal Canadian Mint, Marineland, The Rideau Canal, and ROM.

Southern Ontario is home to many professional sports teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto FC, amongst others. The region also hosts the Canadian Open (Golf) and Canadian Open (Tennis).

The area is home to many internationally renowned festivals and events including Toronto International Film Festival, Winterlude, Caribana, Bluesfest, Pride Week, Kitchener Oktoberfest, Havelock Jamboree, Toronto Indy, Sarnia Bayfest, Canada Day in Ottawa, International Freedom Festival in Windsor, Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and Virgin Festival.

Several large legal gambling establishments have been built throughout the Province with Caesars Windsor and Fallsview Casino being the two flagship casino's in the Province. In addition to casino's Ontario has many legal horse racing facilities with gaming slots. Racetrack slot are located throughout the Province. All gaming in the Province is overseen by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Southern Ontario has many beautiful natural attractions as well. Wasaga Beach, Grand Bend, and Sandbanks, are amongst the nicest beaches on the Great Lakes. The Niagara Escarpment offers hiking, skiing, and hundreds of water falls including Niagara Falls. The Ottawa River has world class white water rafting which attracts rafters and kayakers from all over the globe. The region has some of North America's nicest parks. Ontario Parks governs all Provincial Parks, and Parks Canada governs all National Parks in Southern Ontario.

Cities

Southern Ontario has many beautiful cities and towns. It is home to both Canada's largest, and Canada's capital city. Toronto is the capital of Ontario, as well as Canada's largest, and North America's fifth largest city. It has a population of 2,503,281, and a metropolitan population of over 5.5 million. Ottawa is Canada's fourth largest city and capital city. It is home to most federal government departments and the Parliament of Canada. It has a population of 812,129, and a metropolitan population of over 1.4 million.

Southern Ontario communities have eight telephone area codes, 226, 289, 416, 519, 613, 647, 705, 905, and 343 (2011)

Southern Ontario's Largest CMA's

See also: Golden Horseshoe and Detroit-Windsor

Statistics Canada's measure of a "metro area", the Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), roughly bundles together population figures from the core municipality with those from "commuter" municipalities. Note : A cities Metropolitan area may actually be larger than its CMA. For example many consider Oshawa part of the Greater Toronto Area, however it is considered its own CMA.

Southern Ontario Cities ( Not all CMA's listed )	2006	2001
Toronto CMA	5,113,149	4,682,897
Ottawa CMA	1,130,761	1,067,800
Hamilton CMA	692,911	662,401
London CMA	457,720	435,600
Kitchener CMA	451,235	414,284
St. Catharines–Niagara CMA	390,317	377,009
Oshawa CMA	330,594	296,298
Windsor CMA	323,342	307,877
Barrie CMA	177,061	148,480
Kingston CMA	152,358	146,838
Guelph CMA	127,009	117,344

Higher learning

Southern Ontario has always been an international destination for higher learning. It houses numerous internationally acclaimed universities and colleges amongst its 13 universities and 20 colleges.

Transportation

Southern Ontario has a vast automotive transportation system involving many freeways. The freeway system in Southern Ontario is referred to as the King's highways system, or the 400 series highways. This indicates that they are at least 4 lanes wide and have interchanges. The major freeways in Southern Ontario are 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407 (Toll), 409, 410, 416, 417, 420, 427, Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway, Queen Elizabeth Way, Queensway, Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway, Red Hill Valley Parkway, Conestoga Parkway, and the E. C. Row Expressway. A few other major highways which have not been granted freeway, or expressway status are the Ottawa River Parkway, W.R. Allen, Capital Airport Parkway, Hanlon Parkway, 115, 174, Hwy. 6, Hwy. 7, and Hwy. 8

Highway 401 which runs the entire length of Southern Ontario is North America's widest and busiest freeway. At its widest point the 401 in Toronto is 18 lanes wide. It is also one of the busiest freeways in the world. In 2007 highway 401 was renamed the Highway of Heroes in honour of Canadian Forces personnel killed during the War in Afghanistan. [1]. Highway 416 was named Veterans Memorial Highway in 1990 to honor Canadian veterans of all wars.

Freeways in Southern Ontario are digitally monitored by the MTO using the COMPASS-Freeway Traffic Management System

Southern Ontario has some of the busiest land borders in North America including the Ambassador Bridge, Detroit–Windsor Tunnel, Peace Bridge, Rainbow Bridge, Thousand Islands Bridge, Ogdensburg-Prescott Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and the Blue Water Bridge.

The Region has a long history of marine transportation. Hundreds of millions of tonnes of cargo travel along the Great Lakes, and Saint Lawrence Seaway each year. The Welland Canal is a vital part of the Great Lakes Waterway allowing ships to avoid Niagara Falls. The St. Clair River and Detroit River are also well travelled rivers between Lake Huron and Lake Erie in the Windsor, Sarnia area. Southern Ontario also has thousands of other fresh water lakes and rivers, as well as the Peterborough Lift Lock, and Rideau Canal.

Another mode of transportation throughout Southern Ontario is train. The region is serviced mainly by Via Rail. The Greater Toronto area also has a vast commuter train system called the GO Train.

Southern Ontario has several major international airports including the busiest airport in the Country Toronto Pearson International Airport, as well as Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, London International Airport, and Region of Waterloo International Airport. Many Southern Ontarians living close to the Michigan or New York State borders use either Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, or Buffalo Niagara International Airport as their local airport.

Climate

Southern Ontario has a humid continental climate (Koppen Dfa) with four distinct seasons. The average high in July for the region is around 28 °C (82 °F). The average high in January ranges from -6 °C (21 °F) to -1 °C (30 °F). The highest recorded temperature in Southern Ontario was 45 °C (113 °F) without the humidex and 52 °C (125 °F) with.

Harsh weather is not uncommon in the region. In the early summer months Southern Ontario is sometimes victim to Tornadoes. Although the tornadoes rarely cause excessive damage, (F4) tornadoes have been recorded. The region sometimes gets spin offs from Tornado Alley. Southern Ontario also gets hurricane remnants, floods, ice storms, hail, and blizzards.

Small Earthquakes occur in the region. The largest recorded in the region was 5.6 on the richter scale around the Cornwall area.

The fall foliage in the region is second to none. Many tourists tour the area in the autumn months to look at the bright vibrant colours.

History

Southern Ontario has a long rich history. It was home to many battleground sites of the War of 1812, a major destination for escaping slaves using the underground railroad, and a major prohibition era bootlegging area.

Sources

• Chapman, L.J. and Putnam, D.F. The Physiography of Southern Ontario. 3rd ed. Toronto: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1984. (Ontario Geological Survey. Special volume 2) ISBN 0-7743-9422-6.

Chasing Canada, Ontario eclipses Michigan in auto production. http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0507/16/autos-249603.htm

External links

• Southern Ontario Tourism
• Southern Ontario Road Map