The Native people called Ontario "The land of shining waters". Ontario is one of the most heavily visited regions of Canada. There are about 250,000 lakes in the province and water covers about one sixth of the province. The five Great Lakes, controlled jointly by Canada and the United States, are the world's biggest continuous body of fresh water. Manitoulin Island (2,766 sq km or 1,068 sq mi), in Lake Huron, is the world's largest fresh water island. It is a sacred island to central Canada's native peoples. Most Ontarians speak English as their first language. However, almost half a million claim French as their mother tongue. In fact Ontario's French speaking community is the biggest in Canada outside Quebec.

Ontario’s wondrous changing of the seasons, leaves something for everyone from heart-warming adventures in snow-draped landscapes that later give way to bursts of brilliant greens and colourful blossoms. Enjoy our crystal-clear water and glorious beaches as the sun smiles down across the land. Be swept by the spectacle of the Northern Lights dancing in the late summer sky, eagerly anticipating the harvest and vistas wrapped in every shade of gold, ochre and crimson. It’s a province where people representing 70 international cultures welcome you to some of the biggest, tallest, longest, most unusual, most exciting of everything. The best thing is you do not have to choose. You can do it all in Ontario.