Learn all about the great state of Ontario:

Toronto is the capital of Canada's largest populated province and is second largest in area only to Quebec. Ontario is named after Lake Ontario, derived from the Huron tribe meaning "great lake". There are approximately 250,000 freshwater lakes in the 415,598 square miles that make up this province with 14.8% being water. Niagara Falls is located in Ontario and provides hydroelectric energy for the province. It is also home to the second largest nuclear power plant in the world, the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station. Waterways dominate the borders of Ontario with Lake Erie, the St. Mary's River, Lake Huron, the Niagara River and Lake Ontario.

In 1611, Henry Hudson sailed into the Hudson Bay and claimed the area for England. Samuel de Champlain and a group of French missionaries arrived through Lake Huron in 1615 and began setting up posts along the Great Lakes. The British had allied with the Iroquois and they were hostile toward the French. From 1634 to 1640 the Indians were discouraged by not being able to fight off diseases of the Europeans and they retreated to more northern territories. The British were establishing their own posts along the Hudson Bay and by the late 1600s; fights for domination had begun between the French and British. The 1763 Treaty of Paris brought the Seven Years' War to an end when Most of New France was designated to Britain and in 1774 the land was annexed to Quebec. Following the American Revolution, 200 acres of ground was given to those now in the United States who wished to be a part of the new province. With the population now rising, the first Lieutenant Governor was appointed to Canada.

The Hudson Bay Lowlands in the extreme northern section of Ontario is mainly swampland. Moving northwestern and central, characteristics of the Canadian Shield come into view with mountainous terrain and forests. This region contains many lakes and rivers and is rich in minerals, covering over half of Ontario's land and water surface. Learn more about the Canadian Shield by using reverse phone look up to find the array of rich minerals held only in this region. Both of these areas are sparsely populated because of the difficulty of growing or building. The southern most regions that are considered the Great Lakes-Saint Lawrence Valley has fertile soil and have become farmland with urban and industrial development. Southern Ontario holds 94% of the province's population.

The climate of Ontario follows the distinction of the three areas of geography with the northern portion having short cool summers and severe winters. There are no mountains along the Hudson Bay and the lack of wind blockage can bring devastatingly sub arctic temperatures of -40 degrees F during the winter months. It is not uncommon to find snow in this region for over six months of the year. On the most southern portion of Ontario, the affects of the Great Lakes Region play a part in providing warm to hot summers but cold winters with as much as 120 inches of snow in some parts during the winter months. Thunderstorms are active in the summer with an average of 34 days of storms with lightning present throughout the season.

It is not unusual to learn that the majority of people in Ontario are of British or other European descent. However, immigrants are becoming more prominent in Ontario including such groups as Caribbeans, South Asians, Latin Americans Russians and Bosnians. The aboriginal people hold 2% of the population and have been increasing over recent years. The religion of Ontario is diverse with an equal number of Roman Catholics and Protestants present.

Natural resources make the generation of hydroelectric energy possible and profitable. Ontario Power Generation provides 85% of the energy in the province with nuclear, hydroelectric and fossil fuel. Toronto is the backbone of Ontario's financial headquarters and IT centers are active in the Silicon Valley North and the Waterloo Region. Here you will find the world headquarters for Research in Motion (developers of BlackBerry Smartphone) and many other technically minded companies. IT majors may find this area fascinating and can use reverse phone lookup to find out more on Canada's own Silicon Valley. Forestry and agriculture are an essential part of Ontario's economic makeup but not as active as it once was. Increased mining is expected to be more prominent in the future but for now, the government is Ontario's largest employer.

Niagara Falls is by far one of the most amazing attractions of Ontario. Activities are far too numerous to list but search on reverse phone lookup to find exactly what you are looking for in an unforgettable vacation. Both the United States and Canada have a shared opportunity to present the beautiful natural wonder of the falls with two-thirds being located in Ontario. Niagara Falls is the most powerful waterfall in North America with over 6 million cubic feet of water falling every minute over the crest. The largest portion of the falls on the Canadian side is called the Horseshoe Falls and is about 2,600 feet wide. The American side called the American Falls is 1,060 feet wide. Niagara Falls is far more impressive from Ontario's border where you have a frontline view of the total falls whereas the American side offers the backside of the falls. The International Niagara Board of Control (IJC) regulates the diversion of the falls that is critical for proper movement and energy consumption.

Besides Niagara Falls, Ontario offers scenic tours from its popular O-Train system of transportation plus great geographic places to visit such as Flower Pot Island. Limestone stacks, cliffs and awesome wildflowers complement the prestigious lighthouse that stands proudly in the harbor. Winston Churchill as the "Prettiest Sunday Drive Anywhere" best describes wine country along the Niagara Parkway. Shows and events, including the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory following a day of browsing boutiques in Clifton Hill make Ontario an adventure that you will not be prone to forget.