Central Canada: Quebec and Ontario

More than half of all Canadians live in the cities and towns clustered around the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River in southern Quebec and Ontario — the region known as Central Canada. This is the industrial and manufacturing heartland of the country, where cold winters and warm, humid summers set the rhythm of city life. Together, Ontario and Quebec produce more than three-quarters of all Canadian manufactured goods, making this region not just the most populous, but the economic engine of the nation.

Quebec

Nearly eight million people live in Quebec, and the vast majority of them are settled along or near the St. Lawrence River. More than three-quarters of Quebecers speak French as their first language, giving the province a distinct cultural identity unlike anywhere else in North America.

Quebec’s economy draws heavily on the resources of the Canadian Shield A vast area of ancient Precambrian rock covering much of central and eastern Canada, rich in minerals and natural resources. , which have helped develop major industries in forestry, energy and mining. The province is Canada’s leading producer of pulp and paper, and its enormous freshwater reserves have made it the country’s largest generator of hydro-electricity. Quebecers are also leaders in advanced industries such as pharmaceuticals and aeronautics.

Culturally, Quebec punches well above its weight on the world stage. Quebec films, music, literary works and food have earned international recognition, particularly within La Francophonie An international organisation and cultural community of French-speaking nations. , the association of French-speaking nations. Montreal, Quebec’s largest city and Canada’s second largest, is also the second largest primarily French-speaking city in the world after Paris, celebrated for its cultural diversity and vibrant arts scene.

Ontario

Ontario is home to more than 12 million people — over one-third of the entire Canadian population. This large and culturally diverse province combines rich natural resources with a strategic location to produce one of the most vital economies in the country. Toronto, Ontario’s capital, is the largest city in Canada and the nation’s primary financial centre. Large numbers of Ontarians work in service or manufacturing industries, which together account for a significant share of Canada’s total exports.

The Niagara region is celebrated for its vineyards, wines and fruit crops, while Ontario farmers across the province raise dairy and beef cattle, poultry, and both vegetable and grain crops. Ontario was founded by United Empire Loyalists and, in recognition of that heritage, the province today has the largest French-speaking population outside of Quebec — a community with a proud tradition of preserving its language and culture.

Ontario is also home to one of the most remarkable geographical features in the world: the five Great Lakes. These lakes — Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan (which lies in the U.S.A.) and Lake Superior — sit along the border between Ontario and the United States. Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world.