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OntarioCanada's second-largest province is also its most populated. Here you will find almost 38 percent of the country's residents. Ontario's capital, Toronto, is the biggest city in Canada and one of the most ethinically diverse cities in the world. It even ranks ahead of cities like Los Angeles and New York in its cultural diversity! Ontario is home to major Canadian sports teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Blue Jays? and the Toronto Raptors?. HISTORY Ontario was originally inhabited by Algonquin and Iroquois speaking tribes, dating back to the last ice age, 10,000 years ago. Early life was based around hunting and fishing, and as the land matured agriculture began to develop. Archeological evidence suggests early forms of craft such as pottery took on a utilitarian function by 1000 BC, and the First Nations tribes established trade routes reaching as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. First Nations tribes continued to grow, settling further north, until the arrival of European explorers. French explorers arrived in the early years of the 17th century, followed by the English. In 1611, the English laid claim to the Hudson’s Bay area. By 1615, the French had established several missions, but encountered hostility from aboriginal tribes, notably the Iroquois, who sided with British settlers. In 1670, the roots of the Hudson’s Bay Company took control of British trade interests in the Hudson‘s Bay region. Several additional posts were established. The Hudson’s Bay Company, also known as the HBC, is now the oldest commercial business in North America. In 1673, the French established the Fort Frontenac trading post in what is now the city of Kensington. Fort Frontenac was destroyed during the Seven Years War, but quickly rebuilt. The site is now a National Historic Site. By the turn of the century, British commercial interests had founded several trading posts in the Hudson’s Bay region, and established the beginnings of a long trading history with First Nation’s residents. The first English speaking settlement in Ontario was founded as an HBC trading post, in the area now known as Moose Factory, securing Britain’s presence. By the middle of the 18th century, Great Britain had assumed control over the land that would become Canada. French settlers established Fort Rouillé on the site of present day Toronto’s Exhibition grounds in 1750, but French opposition to British control was finally squashed by the mid 1760s. The fort no longer exists but a monument marks the site. The southern boundary was established with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which brought the Seven Years War to an end. The population grew considerably, when as many as 10,000 Empire Loyalists left the United States following the American Revolution. American citizens soon followed, attracted by the prospect of rich natural resources and cheap land. Fort York was established in 1793, and is now a National Historic Site. In 1800, an English settlement was established in what is now Ottawa. The city is now the fourth largest in the country. American soldiers would invade the region as far north as modern Toronto during the War of 1812, but were soon driven back across the southern border. Unfortunately, Ontario had a high percentage of American residents, some of whom entered the war effort. Over the following decades, the population continued to grow, primarily by English and Scottish settlers. Transportation routes along the river network grew with the population, also feeding growth in provincial industry. In 1834, the City of Toronto was incorporated out of the town of York, which had grown around the fort of the same name. Ontario was granted Responsible Government in 1848. The town of Berlin was founded in 1854, as a settlement for German residents. The town would change its name to Kitchener in 1916, to show support for soldiers fighting the German army during the First World War. The province was largely unaffected by the war, except for several residents joining the military. Ottawa became the capital in 1857. In 1867, the British North America Act took effect in 1867, establishing the Dominion of Canada with four provinces, and Ontario officially became part of the Canadian Confederation. The Act established separate rights and educational systems for Catholic residents. The Canadian Pacific Railway came to Ontario in the 1870s, spawning new growth in population and industry. A recession during the 1890s slowed progress, but was short lived. By the early years of the 20th century, Ontario had attracted attention for hydro-electric power, mining and strong industrial prospects. Both Ford and General Motors set up shop in Ontario, and would grow into economic leaders. Citizens of Toronto were devastated by the Great Toronto Fire of 1904, which destroyed much of downtown, costing the city more than ten million dollars, but luckily claimed no lives. The city quickly rebuilt. American influence brought prohibition to Ontario in 1916. However, the province allowed residents to distill their own alcohol, which led to a boom in illegal liquor production and export into the United States. Ontario established the Liquor Control Board in 1927, effectively bringing prohibition to an end. Ottawa took the world stage in 1945, when an employee of the Soviet Embassy defected, taking classified documents with him. The papers exposed a spy network and plans for the construction of an atomic bomb. Many consider this event the beginning of the Cold War. The next few decades saw growth in Ontario reach new levels. Industry prospered, and the vast, un-urbanized land provided rich agricultural bounty. So popular was the province that the International and Universal Exposition invited Ontario to open a pavilion at Expo 67, held in Montreal. That same year, Toronto established its first commuter rail network. The province began building a strong tourism industry with the construction of several attractions, including Ontario Place and the CN Tower, at the time the world’s tallest free standing man made structure. Tragedy struck the city of Mississauga in 1979, when a freight train carrying volatile explosives derailed, causing the largest municipal evacuation in North American history. Canadian hero Terry Fox arrived in thunder bay in 1980 during the inaugural run of his now famous and internationally renowned Marathon of Hope. The now annual event raises millions of dollars for cancer research. In 1982, the Canada Act established sovereignty, and legal ties to the United Kingdom were dissolved. Recession hit the province in the early 1990s, leaving many out of work. Several programs and economic reform slowly brought Ontario back to health. In 1997, the City of Toronto incorporated the metro area and the surrounding communities. The City of Toronto is now the largest city in Canada. Ontario began looking to a prosperous future as the 21st century set in. Unfortunately, an outbreak of Severe acute respiratory syndrome, better known as SARS, claimed 44 lives. The tourism industry was hit heavily, and revenues to the province dropped in half. The disease was quickly controlled, but tourist revenues were slow to recover. Modern Ontario, however, looks forward to a bright future as the most prosperous province in the country. Almost 40% of the country’s population lives here, generating more than 41% of Canada’s gross domestic product. Ontario has many sights to see and attractions such as Canada's Wonderland, Niagara Falls, the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Centre, Algonquin National Park Ontario Place, the Toronto Islands? the Toronto TheatreDistrict?, and plenty of shopping and other things to do. Other Ontario Cities: Besides the higher populated areas in Southern Ontario, Northern Ontario boasts amazing natural beauty and small-town hospitality. Check out places like Kakabeka Falls?, Quetico Park?, and Ouimet Canyon?! 
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