Thunder Bay, Ontario

Thunder Bay ({{coor dm|48|23|N|89|15|W|}}, time zone EST) is a city in and the seat of Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada. It is the second largest city in Northern Ontario (2001 population 109,016http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-P.cfm?T=1&PR=35&SR=526&S=1&O=A; CMA 121,986http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CMA-P.cfm?T=1&PR=35&SR=26&S=1&O=A). The city takes its name from the immense bay at the head of Lake Superior, known on 18th century French maps as "Baie du Tonnerre". The city was formed in 1970 by the merger of the cities of Fort William, Ontario, Port Arthur, Ontario and the townships of Neebing and McIntyre. Its port forms an important link in the shipping of grain and other products from western Canada through the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway to the east coast. The city is often referred to as the Lakehead or Canadian Lakehead because of its location at the end of Great Lakes navigation.

Transportation & Harbour

Thunder Bay is advantaged by air, rail and shipping traffic due to its prime location along major continental transportation routes. The city is served by the Thunder Bay International Airport, the third busiest airport in Ontario. In 2003 598,000 passengers travelled through the airport. The airport is serviced by Air Canada Jazz, Westjet, Bearskin Airlines, Wasaya Airlines, Northwest Airlines and Skyservice Airlines.

Related Topics:
Thunder Bay International Airport - Air Canada Jazz - Westjet

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The city is still an important railway hub, served by both the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railway, despite the decline in western grain shipments. Passenger rail service to Thunder Bay ended over a decade ago, with the cancellation of VIA Rail Canada's southern transcontinental service. The CPR Union Depot (1910) remains in Fort William, with the CNR station (1905) providing tourism related services in Marina Park. For history of railways at Thunder Bay, see the History section.

Related Topics:
Canadian National - Canadian Pacific - VIA Rail

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Thunder Bay has been a port since the days of the North West Company which maintained a schooner on Lake Superior. Significant navigation came after 1855 with the opening of the canal at Sault Ste. Marie (Soo locks) which allowed ships coming from the lower lakes to bypass the rapids of the St. Marys River. To facilitate navigation, the federal government dredged the Kaministiquia River from 1873 onwards and built a large breakwater in Thunder Bay beginning 1885. Until the 1970s, coal, grain, iron ore and package freight were handled in enormous quantities. Gradually, shipping by train and boat diminished and now most goods are transported by road. Combined with the 1988 free trade agreement with the United States, these changes have ended Thunder Bay's privileged position as a linchpin in Canadian east-west trade. As a result the city has lost its traditional raison d'être as a break-bulk point, and the city is in economic decline.

Related Topics:
North West Company - Sault Ste. Marie - Soo locks - St. Marys River - Kaministiquia River - Breakwater

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Thunder Bay Port Authority manages Keefer Terminal built on a 32 hectare site on Lake Superior.

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Greyhound Canada provides coach service to both regional and national destinations.

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Thunder Bay Transit provides 17 routes across the city's urban area. There are also numerous trails for walking and cycling.

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