Southern Ontario

Southern Ontario is one of the two distinct regions of Ontario, Canada, with Northern Ontario being the other. This region covers about 15 percent of the province's total area.1

Geography and Landscape

Southern Ontario is characterized by gentle relief, with its lowest point being 150 feet (45 meters) above sea level along the Ottawa River and its highest point just over 1,770 feet (540 meters) in the Blue Mountains. A significant feature is the Niagara Escarpment, which runs from Niagara Falls to the Bruce Peninsula. The landscape was shaped by glacial activity, resulting in mostly rolling plains.1

Economy and Settlement

Southern Ontario is the most populous and wealthiest part of Canada, with a diversified industrial economy. It is home to the province's major urban centers, including Toronto, Canada's largest city, and Ottawa, the national capital. The "Golden Horseshoe" metropolitan complex along Lake Ontario is a significant economic hub. Agriculture is also intensive in Southern Ontario, particularly in the southwestern counties, which are major producers of corn and soybeans.2345