The name "Ontario" comes from the Iroquois word "Kanadario" meaning "sparkling water." The name is fitting: not only is Ontario bordered on the south by the Great Lakes and the St-Lawrence Seaway, and on the north by Hudson Bay, but one sixth of its terrain, is covered by rivers and lakes. Sailing into the large bay that bears his name, Henry Hudson became the first European to touch the shores of present-day Ontario in 1610. In 1613, Samuel de Champlain and Étienne Brûlé made the first contacts with the Aboriginal people in the southern part of the province. Waterways were critical in building the fur trading that marked the early development of the province.
Today, water is still very much synonymous to life in Ontario: the Great Lakes and the St Lawrence Waterway provide a precious resource to the province's industry and commerce, with some of the most active ports and factories in Eastern North America. In addition, the south's temperate climate and fertile soils nurture a major agricultural industry - this relatively small area has more than half of Canada's best agricultural land.
It is only “natural” then that water should provide an adequate background or be the prime component of all of Ontario's major tourist attractions. North of Toronto, the Muskoka region, with its lakes and forests, is Ontarians' favourite playground and hosts beautiful inns and resorts. To the East, in the Nation's Capital, Ottawa's Parliament buildings stand up proudly on the bluffs high above the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal, which becomes the longest natural ice rink in Canada in winter. Separating Ontario from the state of New York, the romantic Thousand Islands hosts lavish waterfront mansions built by tycoons in the late 19th century. And who can forget the fabulous Niagara Falls, the 8th Wonder of the World?
The other riches Ontario possesses is its people. With approximately 11 million inhabitants, Ontario is the country's most heavily populated province. From 1779 on, waves of English, Scottish and Irish immigrants followed one another, moving up the St. Lawrence and populating the country. Today, they have been joined by large numbers of people of Italian, German, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese, Indian, Polish and Caribbean origin. Toronto--Ontario's capital and Canada's largest city, is a particularly good example of cultural diversity and will allow you to have an enriching "global" experience!
Please enjoy browsing through some of Entrée Canada's signature itineraries in the City or perhaps it's the ultimate Trip of a Lifetime that you seek, or maybe it's the right time of year for a special Ski Holiday but if any of these itineraries are not perfectly suited to your needs please contact one of our travel planning experts. |
