Ontario — Overview
Ontario is Canada's most populous province, highlighted by the sheer size and energy of its two largest cities (one the federal capital, the other the provincial capital), Ottawa and Toronto. Toronto, in particular, is widely regarded as one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities on the continent, in part due to its huge influx of immigrants. The city has countless galleries, museums and shops, all against the backdrop of both heritage buildings (such as Old City Hall, built in 1899) and innovative modern architecture (such as the CN Tower).
In the wild
The far north and west of Ontario is a largely uninhabited wilderness of lakes, swamps and forests. Throughout Ontario are five national parks and 330 provincial parks. And, surreal as it may seem when compared to the province's urban centers, there are parts of this province where you can see more polar bears than humans.
Niagara and more
Ontario is also a province of water, bordering four of the five 'Great Lakes' of North America. There is also Niagara Falls for those who crave their watery landscapes a little more dramatic; located partly in Ontario (and partly in New York State, USA), the falls provide a snapshot of nature at its most phenomenal.
Geography
Ontario is an eastern-central province bordered by Manitoba and Québec, with a northern coastline on James Bay and Hudson Bay; it also shares the shores of the Great Lakes with the USA. The two most populated areas, around Toronto and Ottawa, are in the southern spur, and the north remains a landscape of forests and lakes. The province contains the Niagara Falls, one of the most spectacular sights in the world.
