Golden Horseshoe, Geographic region in southern Ontario, Canada
The Golden Horseshoe extends along Lake Ontario from Oshawa in the east to St. Catharines in the west, encompassing densely populated cities, industrial zones and agricultural land. This region forms Canada's economic heartland, with financial services, manufacturing and wine production as its main economic activities.
The term was coined in 1954 by Herbert H. Rogge, a representative of Westinghouse Electric Corporation, who alluded to the shape of the region during a speech in Hamilton. Since then, the area has grown into one of North America's fastest developing economic zones.
The name refers to the horseshoe-shaped curve along the lake, coined in the 1950s and now representing one of the most diverse regions in North America. Immigrants from around the world have built new communities here and shape daily life through their languages, shops and festivals.
The area is best explored by car, as cities and attractions are spread over a wide territory. In summer, wine regions and lakefront areas see heavy visitors, while autumn offers quieter conditions.
More than nine million people live here across roughly 21,000 square kilometers (8,100 square miles), making it Canada's most densely populated area. Despite this density, wide vineyards and nature reserves stretch between the cities.
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