| Capital: Toronto Motto: Ut Inceptit Fedelis Sic Permanet (Loyal it began, loyal it remains) Flower: White Trillium Population, 1998: 11,404,750 The Land 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 on the north by Hudson Bay, but 177 390 km2, or one sixth of its terrain, is covered by rivers and lakes. Ontario is larger than Spain and France combined. The province has a landmass of 1,068,580 sq km and is the 2nd largest province in Canada. At its greatest extremity Ontario is 690 km in width. the longest distance north/south is 1,730 km. The highest point, at 693 m above sea level, is in the District of Timiskaming, near Lady Evelyn Smoothwater Provincial Park. The People With over 11 million people, Ontario is the country's most heavily populated province. While English is the official language, Ontario's Francophones play an essential part in the province's cultural life. The provincial government provides services in French in those regions where the Francophone population is sufficiently high. Economy Ontario is Canada's most productive province, generating some 40 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Its manufacturing industries lead the way. Ontario's competitive advantages include its natural resources, modern transportation system, large, well-educated labour force, reliable and relatively inexpensive electrical power, and proximity to key U.S. markets: less than a day's drive puts Ontario's products within reach of 120 million American consumers. Automobiles are Ontario's major manufacturing industry and most important export, employing more than 140 000 people. Motor vehicles, parts and accessories accounted for 37% of Canada's total exports in 1998. Local Information:
History of some local communies:
About Cobourg Cobourg was founded in 1798 and known as Hamilton, after the township. The town was renamed in 1819 in honour of the marriage of the Princess of Wales to Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saafieldonce. Cobourg has played an important role in the history of confederation, including being on the short-list of cities vying to become the nation's capitol, along with Ottawa and Kingston. In the April 2006 edition of MoneySense Magazine, Cobourg was named the sixth best place to live in Canada - when considering economy, home prices and leisure as measures. Home to some of Ontario's most prominent citizens, Cobourg continues to attract many of the province's elite. Egerton Ryerson founded Victoria College here (later Victoria University - now part of the University of Toronto's downtown campus) before moving on to establish the groundwork for the education system we know in Ontario today. The former Victoria College building, was designed by Kivas Tully (who also designed Queen's Park) and was officially opened in 1860 by the Prince of Wales who would later become King Edward VII. Now it is known as Victoria Hall and, with it's prominent location in the middle of King Street, Cobourg's main centre of business , the building today houses Cobourg's municipal offices, a museum and a concert hall. Other notable Cobourg residents are: the first Anglican Bishop of Toronto John Strachan; Marie Dressler of silent film fame; frontier artist Paul Kane; and one of the fathers of Canadian confederation James Cockburn. Along with Cobourg's rich history of famous residents, it is today home to 2006 Stanley Cup winning-goal scorer Justin Williams of the Carolina Hurricans, and libraian and author Ed Greenwood, who co-wrote the original stories the Dungeons and Dragons role playing games are based upon. About Port Hope: Founded in 1789 at the mouth of the Ganaraska River, Port Hope has undergone several name changes. It first appeared on a 1663 French map under the name Ganaraske. Later it was called Smith's Creek and even, for a short time, Toronto. On March 6, 1834 the town of Port Hope, named for the former Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec Colonel Henry Hope, was officially incorporated as the seventh town in Ontario. In 2002, TVO's Studio Two selected Port Hope's main street, Walton, as the best preserved main street in all of Ontario. In 1998 Stuart McLean's first outside of Toronto performance of The Vinyl Cafe took place in Port Hope's historic Capitol Theater. The town has been home to Vincent Massey, the first native-born Canadian Governor General, The Great Farini - of tightrope walking fame - and hymn writer Joseph Scriven (What A Friend We Have In Jesus) as well as the birth place of the award winning Canadian actor Albert Schultz, founder of the Soul Pepper Theatre. Today it is the home of former Major League All-Star pitcher Paul Quantrill, the prolific and respected writer and icon of Canadiana Farley Mowat, and world-reknowned painter-print maker David Blackwood. History truly lives in Port Hope, and there is still plenty of history being made! It's around Walton Street that many of Port Hope's well-known events, concerts and other activities take place - including the irreverent Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny river race, and the highly respected All-Canadian Jazz Festival. And many visitors drive out just for the fabulous shopping - ranging from antiques and artist galleries to clothing and accessories - to be found on and around Walton's historic downtown business district. Below are links for government, local organizations, events, and other resources related to Port Hope and the surrounding area. *Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003. |