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North Bay, Ontario

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Template:Canadian City North Bay (46°32′N 79°46′W / 46.533°N 79.767°W / 46.533; -79.767, time zone EST) is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada (2001 population 52,771). North Bay takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing, and covers an area of 314.92 square kilometres. It is the seat of Nipissing District.

History

North Bay, Ontario is the gateway to Northern Ontario.

The area was first explored by Samuel de Champlain.

In 1882, John Ferguson decided that the north bay of Lake Nipissing was a promising spot for settlement. North Bay was incorporated as a town in 1891. The first mayor was John Bourke.

The town began to prosper due to the presence of three railway companies and a strong lumber industry. In 1919, John Ferguson was elected mayor of North Bay and continued to serve as mayor until 1922. North Bay was incorporated as a city in August 1925. The Dionne Quintuplets were born on the outskirts of North Bay in 1934. In January 1968 the city of North Bay amalgamated with West Ferris and Widdifield townships.

Geography & Climate

A beach on Lake Nipissing in Ferris, a neighbourhood of North Bay.

North Bay is located approximately 330 km north of Toronto, Ontario and differs in geography from Southern Ontario in that North Bay is situated on the Canadian Shield. This gives rise to a different and more rugged landscape.

North Bay is geographically unique in that it straddles both the Ottawa River watershed to the east and the Great Lakes watershed to the west.

North Bay, critically situated at the junctions of Highway 11 and Highway 17, remains a major transportation centre for Northern Ontario. It is the southern terminus of the Ontario Northland Railway, and is served by the Jack Garland Airport.

The climate in North Bay is common to most places in Northern Ontario. North Bay tends to be a less humid climate than that found in Southern Ontario due somewhat to the distance from the Great Lakes.

Category January (Avg) July (Avg)
Normal maximum temperature -8.1 °C 23.8 °C
Normal minimum temperature -18.0 °C 13.2 °C
Average sunshine 94.5 hours 278.3 hours
Average precipitation 59 cm snow 97 mm rain

Economy

Looking northwest down Main Street, from a pedestrian/cyclist overpass near Chippewa Creek

North Bay is economically diverse compared to most other Northern Ontario communities, although a large percentage of the city's jobs are public sector in nature with education and government dominating the list of the city's top employers.

North Bay is the home of Nipissing University, founded in 1992, and of Canadore College, founded in 1967. Approximately 7000 full-time students are enrolled at the two post-secondary institutions, which share a campus in the west end of the city.

North Bay is the site of CFB North Bay (22 Wing), a North American Aerospace Defense Command control center, with operations taking place inside a facility located deep underground, similar to, but on a much smaller scale than, the famous Cheyenne Mountain base in Colorado. Although historically 22 Wing was a sizable operation, today it employs approximately 500 personel.

The service industry, tourism and manufacturing also play a significant role in the city's economy.

Looking down Main St. in downtown North Bay.

In recent years the city has gained prominence as the hub of arts and culture in Northern Ontario due to its vibrant community of artists, musicians, actors and writers. North Bay's reputation as a sophisticated university town, desirable retirement community and four season vacation destination continues to grow.

Media

TV

Radio

Three of North Bay's radio stations find their homes here: EZRock, The Fox and CKAT

Newspapers

North Bay's main daily newspaper is the North Bay Nugget, owned by Osprey Media.

Community profile

A CF-100 on display at Lee Park.
  • Population in 2001: 52,771
  • Land area (square km): 314.92
  • Median total income of persons 15 years of age and over ($): 20,802
  • Median family income ($) All census families: 53,668
  • Average value of dwelling ($): 140,000
  • % of the population with a university certificate, diploma or degree: 50.7

Based on the Canada 2001 Census.

Racial Demographics

  • 93.2% White
  • 5.5% Aboriginal
  • 0.5% Black

Prominent people

Prominent North Bay people include:

Cartoonist Lynn Johnston lives just outside the city in nearby Corbeil, and the famous Dionne Quintuplets were born on the outskirts of the city between North Bay and Callander. Roy Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson of Fleet started his empire in North Bay in 1931 with the purchase of an AM radio station, CFCH, and moving it to North Bay. Thomson Park in North Bay is named in his honour.

Communities

The Ontario Northland Building in North Bay


North: Nipissing Unorganized North Part
West: Nipissing 10, Lake Nipissing
North Bay East: Nipissing Unorganized North Part, East Ferris
South: Callander
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