Key Facts

Ontario is a study in contrasts. The varied landscape includes the vast, rocky and mineral-rich Canadian Shield, which separates the fertile farmland in the south and the grassy lowlands of the north.

Here are some key facts about Ontario:

Quick Facts about Ontario

• Population: Over 14 million
• Size: Ontario is Canada’s second-largest province, covering more than one million square kilometres (415,000 square miles) – an area larger than France and Spain combined.
• Land area: 894,639 sq. km (344,092 sq. mi.)
• Water area: 177,398 sq. km (68,490 sq. mi.), which is home to 250,000 lakes, which make up about one-fifth of the world’s freshwater.
• North/South Distance: 1,730 kilometres (1,075 mi.)
• East/West Distance: 1,680 km (1,050 mi.)
• Freshwater Shoreline: 3,081 km (2,362 mi.) along Great Lakes
• Saltwater Shoreline: 1,094 km (680 mi.) along James and Hudson bays
• Northernmost Point: Latitude 56×50′ at Ontario-Manitoba border; which is close to that of London, England and Warsaw, Poland
• Southernmost Point: Middle Island off Pelee Island (Latitude 40×41′; same as Rome, Italy, and Northern California)
• Highest Point: Timiskaming district (693 m/2,274 ft.)
• Lowest Point: Hudson Bay shore (sea level)

People and culture

With a population of more than 13.5 million, Ontario is home to about 2 in 5 Canadians. More than 85% live in urban centres, largely in cities on the shores of the Great Lakes.

The largest concentration of people and cities is in the "Golden Horseshoe" along the western shore of Lake Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.

Ontario covers more than one million square kilometres. This makes it larger than Spain and France combined!

Ontario is home to Canada’s most southerly point – Pele Island. Also, worth noting is that Pele Island is either completely south or partially south of a whopping 27 U.S states!

Ontario is home to more than 250,000 lakes, which contain about one-fifth of the world’s freshwater!

Polar Bear Provincial Park is the largest park in Ontario. It has no visitor facilities, is reachable only by air, and special permission is required before visiting it. Several hundred polar bears migrate through the area.

Canada is a land of extreme weather and Ontario is no different. In summer, temperatures can soar above 30°C (86°F), while in winter they can drop below -40°C (-40°F).

Niagara Falls remains one of the biggest draws to the province, as well as one of the most popular tourist attractions in North America.

Scientists recently found 1.5-billion-year-old water in a mine 1.5 miles beneath Ontario, Canada.