124 Fascinating Facts About Ontario, Canada

Ontario, Canada's most populous province, is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. With an abundance of fascinating facts and unique features, there's always something new to discover about this diverse and dynamic province.

124 Fascinating Facts About Ontario, Canada: Landmarks, Culture, and Nature

Ontario is a province in eastern Canada.
It is the most populous province in Canada.
The capital city of Ontario is Toronto.
Ontario is bordered by Quebec to the east, Manitoba to the west, Hudson Bay and James Bay to the north, and the Great Lakes and the United States to the south.
Ontario covers an area of 1,076,395 square kilometers (415,598 square miles).
The population of Ontario is approximately 14.7 million people.
The official languages of Ontario are English and French.
The name "Ontario" comes from the Iroquois word "kanadario," which means "sparkling water."
Ontario was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples, including the Algonquin, Ojibwe, and Huron-Wendat.
The first European to explore Ontario was French explorer Étienne Brûlé in 1610.
Ontario was part of New France until it was ceded to the British in 1763.
Ontario became a province of Canada in 1867.
Ontario is home to the largest city in Canada, Toronto, which has a population of over 2.7 million people.
Toronto is also the capital city of Ontario.
Ontario is divided into 49 census divisions.
The highest point in Ontario is Ishpatina Ridge, which is 693 meters (2,274 feet) above sea level.
The largest lake in Ontario is Lake Nipigon, which covers an area of 4,848 square kilometers (1,871 square miles).
Ontario is home to over 250,000 lakes and countless rivers and streams.
Ontario's official bird is the common loon.
Ontario's official flower is the trillium.
Ontario's official tree is the eastern white pine.
Ontario has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers.
Ontario's largest industries are manufacturing, finance, and tourism.
Ontario is home to several major universities, including the University of Toronto, York University, and Western University.
Ontario is also home to several major sports teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs (hockey), Toronto Raptors (basketball), and Toronto Blue Jays (baseball).
The CN Tower in Toronto is the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere, standing at 553 meters (1,815 feet) tall.
Niagara Falls, which straddles the border between Ontario and New York State, is one of the most famous natural attractions in the world.
The Rideau Canal, which runs from Ottawa to Kingston, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ontario is home to several national parks, including Algonquin Provincial Park and Bruce Peninsula National Park.
Ontario has the highest number of Franco-Ontarians in Canada, with over 610,000 people speaking French as their first language.
The Bruce Trail, which runs from Niagara to Tobermory, is Canada's oldest and longest footpath.
Ontario has a diverse economy, with major industries including mining, forestry, and agriculture.
Ontario is the second-largest producer of maple syrup in the world, after Quebec.
The Canadian Shield, a large area of exposed Precambrian rock that covers much of eastern and central Canada, runs through northern Ontario.
The Niagara Escarpment, a long, cliff-like ridge that runs from New York to Wisconsin, also runs through Ontario.
Ontario is home to several major airports, including Toronto Pearson International Airport, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
The Thousand Islands, a group of over 1,800 islands in the St. Lawrence River, are a popular tourist destination in Ontario.
Ontario has a rich cultural heritage, with a significant population of Indigenous peoples, as well as many immigrants from around the world.
Ontario's official sport is lacrosse.
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is one of the top junior ice hockey leagues in the world.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is one of the largest and most prestigious film festivals in the world.
The Stratford Festival, held annually in Stratford, Ontario, is one of the largest and most renowned theatre festivals in North America.
Ontario's official mineral is amethyst.
Ontario's official gemstone is the labradorite.
Ontario's official mammal is the eastern timber wolf.
Ontario's official fish is the brook trout.
Ontario's official insect is the monarch butterfly.
The Bruce Power nuclear power plant, located on the shores of Lake Huron, is the largest nuclear power plant in the world by output.
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), held annually in Toronto, is Canada's largest annual fair.
The Shaw Festival, held annually in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, is one of the largest theatre festivals in North America.
The Toronto Islands, a group of islands located in Lake Ontario just off the shore of Toronto, are a popular recreational destination for locals and tourists alike.
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), located in Toronto, is one of the largest museums in North America, with a collection of over six million objects.
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), also located in Toronto, is one of the largest art museums in North America.
The Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada and one of the largest in the world.
Ontario is home to several major ski resorts, including Blue Mountain Resort, Mount St. Louis Moonstone, and Horseshoe Resort.
Ontario is also home to several major golf courses, including St. George's Golf and Country Club, Glen Abbey Golf Course, and Hamilton Golf and Country Club.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Canada's national public broadcaster, is headquartered in Toronto.
The Hockey Hall of Fame, which celebrates the history and accomplishments of ice hockey, is located in downtown Toronto.
The Ottawa River, which flows through the capital city of Ottawa, is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and kayaking.
The Rideau River, which flows through Ottawa and into the Rideau Canal, is a popular destination for boating and fishing.
The Muskoka region, located in central Ontario, is a popular cottage country destination known for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
The Kawartha Lakes, a chain of lakes in central Ontario, are a popular destination for boating, fishing, and camping.
The Niagara Wine Region, located in the Niagara Peninsula, is a popular destination for wine tours and tastings.
The Canadian Shield is home to several major mining operations, including gold, silver, and copper mines.
The Canadian Shield is also home to many lakes and rivers, making it a popular destination for canoeing and camping.
The Georgian Bay Islands National Park, located in Georgian Bay, is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and hiking.
Ontario is home to several major music festivals, including the Ottawa Bluesfest, the Toronto Jazz Festival, and the Boots and Hearts Music Festival.
Ontario is also home to several major film and television production studios, including Pinewood Toronto Studios and Cinespace Film Studios.
The Canadian National Tower, also known as the CN Tower, is located in Toronto and was once the tallest free-standing structure in the world.
The Cheltenham Badlands, located in Caledon, Ontario, is a unique geological formation that is popular for hiking and photography.
The Niagara Falls, located on the border between Ontario and New York State, is one of the most famous natural attractions in the world.
The Aga Khan Museum, located in Toronto, is dedicated to the collection and exhibition of Islamic art and culture.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection, located in Kleinburg, Ontario, is home to over 6,500 works of art by Canadian artists.
The National Gallery of Canada, located in Ottawa, is the country's largest art museum and houses a vast collection of Canadian and international art.
The Hockey Canada Hall of Champions, located in Toronto, celebrates the history and achievements of Canadian hockey.
The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, home to the federal government of Canada, are open to the public for tours and visits.
The Toronto Islands are home to several beaches, including Centre Island Beach and Hanlan's Point Beach.
The Royal Botanical Gardens, located in Burlington, Ontario, are home to over 1,100 hectares of gardens, nature sanctuaries, and hiking trails.
The Ottawa Bluesfest, one of Canada's largest music festivals, takes place annually in downtown Ottawa.
The St. Lawrence Market, located in Toronto, is one of the oldest and largest public markets in North America.
The Toronto Zoo is home to over 5,000 animals from around the world, including several endangered species.
Ontario's official bird is the common loon.
Ontario's official tree is the eastern white pine.
Ontario's official flower is the trillium.
The Canadian Canoe Museum, located in Peterborough, Ontario, is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of Canadian canoeing history and culture.
The Canada's Wonderland amusement park, located in Vaughan, Ontario, is one of the largest theme parks in North America.
The Rideau Canal, located in eastern Ontario, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for boating and cycling.
The Algonquin Provincial Park, located in central Ontario, is one of the largest and most popular provincial parks in the province.
The Killarney Provincial Park, located on the north shore of Georgian Bay, is known for its rugged landscapes and hiking trails.
The Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, stretches from New York State to Tobermory, Ontario, and is known for its unique geological features and biodiversity.
The Point Pelee National Park, located in southwestern Ontario, is a popular destination for birdwatching and hiking.
The Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, located on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve known for its unique natural features and biodiversity.
The French River Provincial Park, located in northeastern Ontario, is known for its historic fur trade routes and scenic waterways.
The Lake Superior Provincial Park, located on the north shore of Lake Superior, is known for its rugged landscapes and hiking trails.
The Pukaskwa National Park, located on the north shore of Lake Superior, is a popular destination for hiking and kayaking.
The Bruce Trail, which stretches from Niagara to Tobermory, is Canada's oldest and longest marked hiking trail.
The Rideau Trail, which stretches from Kingston to Ottawa, is a popular destination for hiking and backpacking.
The Trans Canada Trail, which spans over 24,000 km across Canada, includes several sections that pass through Ontario and is popular for hiking, cycling, and snowmobiling.
Ontario's official sport is lacrosse, which has been played by Indigenous peoples in Canada for centuries.
The Niagara Peninsula is home to over 100 wineries and is a popular destination for wine tours and tastings.
The Stratford Festival, located in Stratford, Ontario, is one of the largest and most prestigious theatre festivals in North America.
The Toronto International Film Festival, held annually in September, is one of the largest and most influential film festivals in the world.
The Ottawa International Animation Festival, held annually in September, is the largest animation festival in North America.
The Royal Ontario Museum, located in Toronto, is one of the largest museums in Canada and houses over 6 million artifacts and specimens.
The Canadian War Museum, located in Ottawa, is dedicated to the history of Canada's military and its role in international conflicts.
The Canadian Museum of History, located in Gatineau (across the Ottawa River from Ottawa), is Canada's national museum of human history and culture.
The Art Gallery of Ontario, located in Toronto, houses over 95,000 works of art from Canada and around the world.
The Bata Shoe Museum, located in Toronto, is dedicated to the history and culture of footwear.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, located in Winnipeg (in the neighboring province of Manitoba), is dedicated to the promotion and education of human rights.
Ontario's official gemstone is the amethyst, and the largest deposit of amethyst in North America is located in the Thunder Bay region of the province.
The Shaw Festival, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, is a theatre festival dedicated to the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries.
The Canadian Opera Company, based in Toronto, is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada's leading orchestras and performs regularly at the Roy Thomson Hall in downtown Toronto.
The National Ballet of Canada, based in Toronto, is one of the world's leading ballet companies.
The Canadian Film Centre, located in Toronto, is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and developing Canadian filmmakers and media artists.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Canada's national public broadcaster, is headquartered in Toronto and has several offices and studios across Ontario.
The Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy, held annually in August, is one of North America's largest street performance festivals and raises funds for epilepsy research.
The Timmins Underground Gold Mine Tour, located in Timmins, Ontario, offers visitors a chance to explore the history and techniques of gold mining.
The Bruce Peninsula National Park, located on the Bruce Peninsula between Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, is known for its unique geological formations and hiking trails.
The Thousand Islands, located in the St. Lawrence River between Ontario and New York State, are a popular destination for boating and fishing.
The Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve, located in central Ontario, is a vast wilderness area known for its outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
The Bonnechere Caves, located in Eganville, Ontario, are a series of limestone caves that are open to the public for guided tours.
The Toronto Christmas Market, held annually in December, is a popular outdoor market that features local vendors, food, and entertainment.
Ontario is home to several notable landmarks, including the CN Tower in Toronto, which was the tallest freestanding structure in the world from its completion in 1976 until 2007.

From the towering CN Tower in Toronto to the pristine wilderness of Algonquin Park, Ontario offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Whether you're a nature lover, a history buff, or a foodie looking to sample the province's renowned cuisine, there's something for everyone in this incredible Canadian destination. With so many fascinating facts and hidden gems waiting to be uncovered, Ontario is a truly unforgettable place to visit.