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Niagara Falls, Ontario

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Niagara Falls
City
City of Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls skyline at night
Niagara Falls skyline at night
Nickname: 
The Honeymoon Capital of the World
Location of Niagara Falls in the Niagara Region
Location of Niagara Falls in the Niagara Region
Country Canada
Province Ontario
RegionNiagara
IncorporatedJune 12, 1903
Government
 • MayorTed Salci
 • Governing bodyNiagara Falls City Council
 • MPRob Nicholson
 • MPPKim Craitor
Area
[1][2]
 • City209.58 km2 (80.92 sq mi)
 • Urban
382.68 km2 (147.75 sq mi)
 • Metro
1,397.50 km2 (539.58 sq mi)
Population
 (2006)[1][2]
 • City82,181 (Ranked 60th)
 • Density392.14/km2 (1,015.6/sq mi)
 • Urban
308,596 (Ranked 12th)
 • Urban density545.02/km2 (1,411.6/sq mi)
 • Metro
390,317 (Ranked 12th)
 • Metro density279.3/km2 (723/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Postal Code
L2E-L2J, L0S
Area code(s)905/289
Website[2]
Skyline of Niagara Falls, Canada, as seen from Niagara Falls State Park across the river in the United States.

Niagara Falls is a Canadian city of 83,184 (as of 2008) residents[1] on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. Across the river is Niagara Falls, New York. Niagara Falls Ontario was incorporated on June 12, 1903.

The city is dominated by Niagara Falls, a world famous set of two large waterfalls on the Niagara River and benefits from the fact that both falls, the American and Horseshoe, can be best seen from the Canadian side of the river, thus presenting the city one of the major tourist attractions of the world. The natural spectacle brings in millions of tourists yearly. The city permitted the development of a tourist area along the falls and the gorge. This area which stretches along the Niagara River parkway and tourist promenade is particularly concentrated at the brink of the falls and, apart from the natural attractions along the river, includes huge parking lots, souvenir shops, observation towers, high-rise-hotels, casinos and theatres, mostly with colourful neon billboards and advertisements. Further to the north or south there are golf courses alongside historic sites from the War of 1812.

History

The Niagara Falls area has seen continuous settlement since the 17th century, first by the Iroquois and then by Europeans who were drawn to the immense falls. Louis Hennepin, a French priest, is regarded as the first European to visit the area in the 1670s.

Tourism started in the early 19th century and has been a vital part of the local economy since that time. As well as the obvious attractions of the falls, Niagara Falls markets itself as a honeymoon destination and is self-proclaimed as the honeymoon capital of the world. In 1953, Marilyn Monroe filmed Niagara (1953 film), a major event for the city.

In 1963, the city absorbed the surrounding Stamford Township, resulting in a doubling of population.

With the creation of a Niagara regional government in 1970, the city amalgamated with the village of Chippawa, Willoughby Township and part of Crowland Township, creating the present-day municipal boundaries.

The City's Official Historian is Sherman Zavitz, who gives regular radio broadcasts on many aspects of Niagara's history [3].

Geography and climate

Niagara Falls, Ontario is 130 kilometers (81 mi) from Toronto by road. The area of the Niagara Region is 1800 square kilometers (718 sq mi). The city sits at 43°7′N 79°4′W / 43.117°N 79.067°W / 43.117; -79.067.

Topography

The city is built along the Niagara Falls waterfalls and the Niagara Gorge on the Niagara River which flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.

Climate

The weather and climate for the Niagara Region of Ontario is humid continental moderated to an extent in all seasons by proximity to water bodies. In winter it can receive snowsqualls from both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, which it is located between.[4]

Climate data for Niagara Falls
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Source: Environment Canada[5]

Demographics

Ethnic Origin Population
English 22,880
Italian 15,425
Scottish 13,910
Irish 11,200
French 8,710
Source: 2001 Census of Canada[6]

In 2006, the population of Niagara Falls was 82,184 persons [3], an increase of 4.3 percent from the previous 2001 census, slightly below national growth, while the metropolitan area enumerated 427,421 people. The population of Niagara Falls is older than Canada in general in terms of age structure. Youths under 14 years of age number 18.09%, while those of retirement age number 17.03% showing a continuous ageing trend. Some 5,130 (6.57%) inhabitants described themselves visible minorities (non-white/non-European)[4].

83.97% of Niagara Falls city residents self-identified with Christian denominations. The largest denominations consist of Catholic (41.99%), Protestant (36.80%), and 5.18% other Christian mostly Eastern Orthodox, 14.10% claimed no religious affiliation, while other religions (1.93%) including Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim accounted for the rest.[7]

Communities

Niagara Falls neighbourhoods

Business and tourist centres

Economy

Niagara Falls, Ontario. The hub of tourism, including the casinos, are now in the Fallsview area shown in the background

See Also: List of tallest buildings in Niagara Falls, ON

With a plentiful and inexpensive source of hydroelectric power via the waterfalls, many electro-chemical and electro-metallurgical industries located here in the early to mid-20th century.

Industry began moving out of the city in the 1970s and 80s because of economic recession and increasing global competition in the manufacturing sector. Tourism increasingly became the city's most important source of revenue. Generally speaking, Niagara Falls, Ontario is a more popular destination than Niagara Falls, New York, in part due to the better view of the falls from the Canadian side of the river, combined in the past with a favourable exchange rate when comparing Canadian and U.S. currencies, and a greater focus on tourism. Also, Ontario's legal drinking age of 19, in comparison to a legal drinking age of 21 in the U.S., attracts 19 and 20-year-old potential alcohol consumers from across the border.

In the mid-1990s the Ontario government introduced legal wagering to the local economy with Casino Niagara. The late-1990s witnessed an economic boom as numerous luxury hotels and tourist attractions were built. The first casino was followed in 2004 by the larger Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Upon launching, the casino business was successful in attracting American tourists due to the then lower Canadian dollar. Closer to parity, currency has not seriously affected tourism due to the difference in over all offering between the two countries.

The recent development has been almost completely centred on the Clifton Hill and Fallsview areas. The Niagara Falls downtown is undergoing a major revitalization process, this area is being developed into an arts and culture district. The downtown was a major centre for local commerce and night life up until the 1970s, when the development of the Niagara Square (mall) began to draw away crowds and retailers. Since 2006 Historic Niagara has brought art galleries, boutiques, cafes and bistros to the street and includes the renovation of the Seneca Theatre.

Government

Niagara Falls City Council consists of 8 councilors and a mayor. City elections take place every four years with the next election on October 25, 2010. Council is responsible for policy and decision making, monitoring the operation and performance of the city, analyzing and approving budgets and determining spending priorities. Due to regulations put forward by the Municpal Elections Act 2001, elections are held on the fourth Monday in October except for religious holidays or if a member of council or if the mayor resigns.

Education

Niagara Falls has two post-secondary institutions as well is served by the District School Board of Niagara and the Niagara Catholic District School Board which operate elementary and secondary schools in the region. There are also numerous private institutions offer alternatives to the traditional education systems.

Post secondary

High schools

Library

Niagara Falls is also served by a growing library system composed of four branches, with the main branch located in the downtown area. It is visited by over 10,000 people weekly. The Niagara Falls Public Library system's goals include preserving and indexing public materials relating to the history of Niagara Falls. An extensive online database exists with over 20,000 photographs and art works at Historic Niagara Digital Collections

Sites of interest

Horseshoe Falls
The Niagara Falls Hard Rock Cafe
Clifton Hill

The Niagara Falls, Ontario tourist district is mainly centred around the waterfalls. Much of the land adjoining the river is parkland under the jurisdiction of the Niagara Parks Commission. Many attractions based on the local natural environment have been created. The city of Niagara Falls has a number of additional attractions in close proximity but not related to the natural features, including casinos and entertainment complexes. One new attraction, located in the Table Rock Center at the brink of the Horseshoe Falls, is called Niagara's Fury and is a representation of how the Falls were created. The attraction creates a simulated ice age environment where the visitor is able to feel rain and snow fall, as well as experience a rapid temperature drop. The Niagara Peninsula is also a significant wine-growing area, with winery tours and festivals becoming a significant area of growth in the local economy.The Canadian side of Niagara Falls has more attractions.

Niagara River and parkway attractions

Tourist sector entertainment

Transportation

Highways

Niagara Falls and Niagara Falls, New York are linked to major highways in Canada and the United States respectively, with the Queen Elizabeth Way acting as a major artery between Toronto, Ontario and Buffalo, New York. Highway 420 (along with Niagara Regional Road 420), the original terminus of the QEW, connects the Rainbow Bridge to the QEW. Niagara Parkway is a road operated under the Niagara Parks Commission which connects Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie via Niagara Falls.

Regional airports

Shuttle bus services connect the city with all three airports.

Rail

  • VIA Rail runs out of the Niagara Falls station, and in the summers offers a bike train service on a limited schedule.
  • Amtrak has trains connecting it to Toronto and New York City. As of the of summer 2009, Go Transit Started a pilot project providing weekend and holiday train service from Toronto to Niagara falls From Mid June to mid October.
  • GO Train runs seasonally between Toronto Union Station and Niagara Falls.

Bus

Cabs and shuttle buses

  • Buffalo Airport Shuttle is a reservation based shuttle that operates from the Buffalo Airport to and from Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Hamilton, and Toronto.
  • Niagara Livery Service is a shuttle bus operator for Casino Niagara.
  • 5-0 is a local cab service. A taxi shuttle provides transfers to airports from Buffalo, New York to Niagara Falls, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario.
  • Niagara Falls Taxi is a local taxi service from Buffalo, New York and Toronto, Ontario airports back to Niagara.

Media

Niagara Falls is served by two main local newspapers, three radio stations and a community television channel. All other media is regionally based, as well, from Hamilton, Toronto.

Niagara Falls is considered part of the Toronto television market rather than the Buffalo television market. Toronto is an hour and a half northwest. However, it is considered part of the Buffalo radio market.

Newspapers

Due to its proximity to Toronto the local media is dominated by Toronto outlets. Local residents have easy access to the papers like the Toronto Star and the Toronto Sun.

Local newspapers are:

Radio

The area is otherwise served by radio stations from Toronto

Television

  • TV Cogeco is a community channel serving Niagara Falls.
  • CIII-TV Global (UHF channels 41 from Toronto, Ontario & 55, a lower power transmitter from nearby Fort Erie that serves the southern part of the city.)
  • CHCH (VHF channel 11) from Hamilton, Ontario that also serves the Niagara Region.

Television stations from Toronto are also widely available.

Sports

Sports teams of Niagara Falls
Club League Sport Venue Established Championships
FC Niagara Falls Srbija Niagara Falls Soccer League Soccer St. George Serbian Orthodox Church 1974
7
Niagara Falls Canucks Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Hockey Niagara Falls Memorial Arena c. 1971
2
Niagara IceDogs Ontario Hockey League Hockey Gatorade Civic Center 2007
2

Notable people From Niagara Falls

References

  1. ^ a b c "Community Highlights, City of Niagara Falls". Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population. 2007-03-13. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
  2. ^ a b "St. Catharines-Niagara Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) with census subdivision (municipal) population breakdowns, land areas and other data". Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population. 2007-03-13. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
  3. ^ Sherman Zavitz, 'Niagara Falls History',[1]
  4. ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, Niagara Falls, Ontario". Environment Canada. 2004-02-25. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  5. ^ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  6. ^ "Selected Ethnic Origins, for Census Subdivisions (Municipalities) With 5,000-plus Population - 20% Sample Data". Statistics Canada, 2001 Census of Population. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
  7. ^ "Community Highlights, City of Niagara Falls". Statistics Canada, 2001 Census of Population. 2007-01-02. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
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