Southwestern Ontario

Introducing Southwestern Ontario

The heavily populated industrial and agricultural areas of southwestern Ontario have a rich history of aboriginal settlement, farming, manufacturing and urban sprawl. Arcing around Lake Ontario from Toronto to Hamilton is the ‘Golden Horseshoe’ – a heavily industrialized zone serving primarily as a conduit between Toronto, Detroit and Buffalo. But those who bravely venture off Hwy 401 will uncover the region’s storied heritage, well-preserved limestone and redbrick buildings, tree-lined boulevards, verdant pastures and sandy shorelines. Don’t miss the chance to explore brilliant little towns like Elora, St Jacobs and Fergus.

Way out west, sandy soils sustain dead-flat wheat- and corn-growing regions where you’ll cheer at the sighting of even the most modest of hills. Farming gives way to sandy beaches along the north shore of Lake Erie and east shore of Lake Huron. Substantial inland cities like Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and London are thriving university and technological centers. Stratford plays host to the annual Shakespeare Festival, while Windsor – like Detroit, Michigan (its big brother across the river) – is an auto manufacturing hub.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009