Toronto

Toronto is Canada's largest city and the provincial capital of Ontario. Toronto's population is 2,518,772 (Statistics Canada, 2004); that of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is 5,203,686 (Statistics Canada, 2004). Residents of Toronto are called Torontonians (in French: torontois). The city is part of the Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario--a densely populated region of around 7 million people. Approximately 23% of the Canadian population live within the Golden Horseshoe region, and about one-sixth of all Canadian jobs lie within the city limits.

Geography and climate

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The City of Toronto covers an area of 641 km² (247 square miles) and is bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, Etobicoke Creek and Highway 427 to the west, Steeles Avenue to the north, and the Rouge River to the east.

Related Topics:
Lake Ontario - Etobicoke Creek - Highway 427 - Rouge River

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The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) extends beyond the city boundaries and includes the regional municipalities of Halton, Peel, York and Durham.

Related Topics:
Halton - Peel - York - Durham

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The GTA is part of a larger, natural ecosystem known as the Greater Toronto Bioregion. This ecosystem is bounded by Lake Ontario, the Niagara Escarpment, and the Oak Ridges Moraine, and includes several watersheds that drain into Lake Ontario. It is also the northern extent of the Carolinian forest zone.

Related Topics:
Greater Toronto Bioregion - Niagara Escarpment - Oak Ridges Moraine - Carolinian forest

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Toronto's climate is moderated by Lake Ontario; its climate is among the mildest in Canada east of the Rocky Mountain range. It receives less snowfall during the winter than some other Canadian cities, and mild periods occur throughout the winter so total snow accumulation over the course of the winter is usually significantly lower due to regular melting. However, recent years have shown a trend towards varying winter weather. During the winter months, daytime high temperatures average just a few degrees below freezing (although residents usually endure two or three cold snaps each year). A typical snowfall during the winter will be no more than 10 cm (4 inches).

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Summer high temperatures typically range from 25-32°C (77-90°F) and are usually accompanied by high humidity, though temperatures as high as 36°C (97°F), and sometimes higher, are not unexpected. Such "heat waves" generally last no more than a couple of days, and are usually coupled with high humidity and smog. On June 14, 2005, with summer still approaching, Toronto recorded its 21st "smog warning" of the year, surpassing the previous annual record of 20, set in 2001.

Related Topics:
Smog - June 14 - 2005 - 2001

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