Toronto, Financial center and provincial capital in Ontario, Canada
The city stretches along Lake Ontario across roughly 630 square kilometers (243 square miles) with more than 70 distinct neighborhoods. High-rise buildings dominate the skyline, and the CN Tower reaches 553 meters (1,815 feet), making it the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere. The street grid follows a regular pattern with Yonge Street serving as the main north-south axis.
John Graves Simcoe established a military post named York in 1793 on the north shore of Lake Ontario. The settlement was renamed Toronto and incorporated as a city in 1834. Growth accelerated after World War II through immigration from Europe, Asia and other regions. Highway construction and the amalgamation of surrounding municipalities in 1998 expanded the urban boundaries considerably.
The city serves as the financial hub of Canada, hosting the Toronto Stock Exchange and major banking headquarters. Theater, film and music events draw international performers throughout the year, while the annual Toronto International Film Festival ranks among the world's largest and reinforces the city's cultural importance on a global scale.
The Toronto Transit Commission runs subways, streetcars and buses connecting different parts of the metropolitan area. Pearson International Airport sits roughly 27 kilometers (17 miles) northwest of downtown with train and bus connections to the city center. Summer months from June through August see the highest visitor numbers, while spring and fall offer more comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds.
The underground PATH system spans 30 kilometers and links roughly 75 buildings in the downtown core, allowing pedestrians to move through the business district during extreme weather. More than 200,000 people use this climate-controlled walkway daily, accessing offices, shops, restaurants and subway stations without stepping outside.
Location: Ontario
Inception: 1750
Founders: John Graves Simcoe
Elevation above the sea: 76 m
Shares border with: Regional Municipality of York, Regional Municipality of Durham, Regional Municipality of Peel, Vaughan, Mississauga, Markham, Pickering, Brampton
Address: Toronto, ON, Canada M Toronto
Website: https://toronto.ca
GPS coordinates: 43.67028,-79.38667
Latest update: November 30, 2025 19:52
Photo license: CC BY 2.0
Photo license: GFDL
Toronto offers numerous attractions for families with children. The Toronto Zoo in Scarborough houses more than 5000 animals from all continents. The Ontario Science Centre in Don Valley East presents interactive exhibits on science and technology. The Royal Ontario Museum downtown displays collections on natural and cultural history. Recreational facilities include Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan with rides and shows, Ontario Place on the western waterfront, and Centreville Amusement Park on the Toronto Islands. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada in the Entertainment District houses thousands of marine animals. The CN Tower provides observation decks above the city. Fort York interprets early 19th-century military history, while Black Creek Pioneer Village portrays rural Ontario life in the 1860s. Several parks and natural areas are suitable for family outings. The Toronto Botanical Garden in North York displays regional plants. The Scarborough Bluffs rise up to 300 feet (90 meters) above Lake Ontario. Riverdale Farm in the Riverdale neighborhood is a working farm with domestic animals. Tommy Thompson Park on an artificial peninsula serves as a bird sanctuary.
Toronto has developed a growing selection of rooftop bars spread across the downtown core. These establishments occupy the upper floors of hotels, restaurants and pubs, offering views of the city skyline, Lake Ontario and surrounding neighborhoods. Most bars operate during the warm months between May and October, though some stay open year round with heated sections. The rooftop venues range from upscale restaurants like The Chase and Kasa Moto to traditional pubs such as Paupers Pub and Murphy's Law Pub and Kitchen. Places like Lavelle and The Rooftop at The Broadview Hotel draw crowds with extended food and drink menus, while Bar Hop and The Pilot focus on craft beer and casual settings. Many of these establishments sit in the King West, Queen West and Yorkville districts, where they attract both locals and travelers.
CN Tower
3.1 km
Rogers Centre
3.2 km
Canada's Wonderland
22.9 km
Casa Loma
2 km
Scotiabank Arena
3.1 km
Hockey Hall of Fame
2.7 km
Maple Leaf Gardens
1 km
Toronto Eaton Centre
1.9 km
Royal Ontario Museum
712 m
Yukon Striker
22.7 km
Union Station
2.8 km
First Canadian Place
2.4 km
Prince Edward Viaduct
1.9 km
Art Gallery of Ontario
1.9 km
Exhibition Stadium
4.9 km
Toronto Zoo
23.4 km
Scarborough Bluffs
12.2 km
Coca-Cola Coliseum
4.5 km
Absolute World
21.7 km
Toronto-Dominion Centre
2.5 km
The Adelaide Hotel Toronto
2.3 km
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
3.1 km
Toronto City Hall
1.9 km
Ontario Place
5.1 km
Massey Hall
1.9 km
Aga Khan Museum
7.5 km
High Park
6.7 km
Rotman School of Management
1.1 kmReviews
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