Windsor

Windsor is a city in Essex County, Ontario, positioned directly across from Detroit on the southern bank of the river that separates the two countries. A suspension bridge and underground tunnel link both shores, forming one of the busiest international crossings in North America.

French settlers founded a farming community on this riverbank in 1749, making it the oldest continuous European settlement west of Montreal in Ontario. The name changed to its current form in 1836 as the community grew into a trade center.

Life along the Detroit River shows how two countries share space through daily routines, as people from both sides cross back and forth for work, shopping, and family visits. Locals here speak with a mix of accents and celebrate traditions from both Canadian and American calendars, creating a blend that visitors notice in conversations and street life.

Visitors planning to cross into Detroit should expect wait times at the bridge or tunnel, especially during morning and evening rush hours on weekdays. Keeping identification documents ready and checking current border requirements ahead of time helps make the crossing smoother.

The geographic position places this city on the same latitude as northern Italy and south of parts of California, making it the southernmost point in Canada. Looking north from the riverfront means gazing toward the United States, a direction rarely associated with crossing into America.

Location: Essex County

Inception: 1749

Elevation above the sea: 185 m

Shares border with: Detroit, River Rouge, Ecorse, Grosse Pointe Park, LaSalle, Tecumseh

Website: https://citywindsor.ca

GPS coordinates: 42.31729,-83.03526

Latest update: December 16, 2025 14:32