Canada in general is a great place to visit. From the sportsman to the history buff, there is a lot to do, see, and enjoy in this large country. There are sparkling cities with long stretches of wild countryside in between, and a choice of terrain from the seaside fisherman’s paradise to high mountain ranges.

Nestled in southern part of the province of Ontario is the teeming metropolis of Toronto. It stretches along the northwest edge of Lake Ontario, and has a population of approximately five million. The United Nations has named Toronto as the most "ethnically diverse city" not one, but five times.

A Brief History of Toronto

Originally inhabited by Native Americans, the area was later used as a trading fort by the French. After the American Revolutionary War, the British purchased much of it, and founded the town of York. It was captured and sacked by Americans in the War of 1812, but it wasn’t until 1834 that it was returned to it’s original name of Toronto and incorporated.

Because slavery had already been banned in Canada, many settled in the are and were part of the original population of almost 10,000. Many immigrants have made Toronto home over the decades, and industrialization helped the city grow through the mid-1800s. Railroad companies valued Toronto, and many routes linked up with the city. They wisely developed their city public transportation system, and today it is considered one of North America’s finest and well used.

Due to several waves on immigration, excellent city planning and infrastructure, and the suburban sprawl that occurred in almost all North American cities in the mid-1990s, Metropolitan Toronto’s population is over five million.

Why You Should Go to Toronto

When people think of Canada, they usually think of the cold. However, Toronto is located south of the country, and it’s climate is temperate. Winters can have short periods of extreme cold very much like the northern United States, but summers are warm (sometimes into the 90s) and humid, making it a perfect place for water sports. In fact, the water and wilderness areas surrounding Toronto are much of what brings tourists to the area. Two rivers river cut through Toronto, and there are many smaller rivers and creeks that run in various directions off them.

The Toronto area in general is well-known for its beautiful scenery. The outskirts and beyond are favorites of sportsmen, and in the summer camping is a big draw to this area. Often a drive between Toronto and other Canadian cities yields everything from great wildlife viewing to stunning landscape and lake views. If you like water sports, the area is perfect for it, with a plethora of rivers, harbors, and lakes.

Toronto is also well-known for its beautiful city skyline. There are many unusual buildings that run from the beautiful to the stunning, and feature the work of noted architects such as Normal Foster, I.M. Pei, Danial Libeskind, Frank Gentry, Will alsop, Mies vad der Rohe, Santiago Calatrava, and many more. In fact, one of the tourist centers is the CN Tower, which is a telecommunications building that has the distinction of being the world’s tallest structure (freestanding), at just over 1,800 feet.

Hockey is a big sport in Canada, and you will find the Hockey Hall of Fame in BCE Place. This downtown building complex is the result of two towers (TD Canada Trust Tower and Bay Wellington Tower) connected by the Allen Lambert Galleria (also known as the "crystal cathedral of commerce). BCE Place is often used as a backdrop for films, and is one of the area’s most popular places.

Another reason to go to Toronto is the professional sports teams. The teams include:

Toronto Maple Leafs (Ice Hockey and Baseball team) Toronto Raptors (Basketball) Toronto Blue Jays (Baseball) Toronto St. Michael’s Majors (Ice Hockey) Toronto Argonauts (Football) Toronto Rock (Lacross) Toronto Xtreme (Rugby) Toronto Marlies (Ice Hockey) Toronto FC (Soccer)

You can almost always find some kind of sports event going on, but you can find cultural events as well. It’s a popular venue for all kinds of performing arts, and has two symphonies, six operas, and too many ballet companies to count. Toronto boasts many world-class stages and concert halls, and some of their performing arts companies are also world renowned.

Other Things to Do in Toronto

Toronto is also home to lots of museums, zoos, and art galleries. For those who love natural history, you should not miss the Royal Ontario Museum, which also has a large world culture collection. While you’re on your natural history tour, also check out the Ontario Science Centre, which also has some wonderful displays that children love.

For art lovers, there is the Art Gallery of Ontario. It’s collection of local as well as African and European art is recognized worldwide. The only museum dedicated to ceramic arts is also located in Toronto, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Arts. In addition, you will find lots of festivals and exhibitions which celebrate the fine arts, and many of these are within close proximity to great dining and shopping.

Because Toronto is also a capital city, and a center for Canadian business, it’s a very popular place for conventions, conferences, and large business meetings. There is also such a variety of activity going on that it’s easy to put together satisfying executive entertainment packages for Toronto. From wilderness hunting and fishing in the outskirts to the arts and sports in the city, you can’t miss with a visit to Toronto.

Some Considerations

As with any other big city, you should always take common sense precautions during your travels. Toronto boasts a very low crime rate, but that doesn’t mean crime doesn’t happen and that it won’t happen to you.

If you’re traveling from out of the country, also make sure you have the proper traveler’s medical insurance. The great thing about Toronto is the superior medical care--just make sure you’re ready in case you need it.