Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area, commonly referred to as the GTA, includes the City of Toronto and the regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel, and York. The Greater Toronto Area is a commercial, distribution, financial and economic centre, being the second largest financial centre in North America.
Hamilton
Hamilton is a port city on the western end of the Niagara Peninsula, and wraps around the westernmost part of Lake Ontario. Its major physical features are Hamilton Harbour, marking the northern limit of the city, and the Niagara Escarpment running through the middle of the city across its entire breadth, bisecting the city into “upper” and “lower” parts. Traditionally, the local economy has been led by the steel and heavy manufacturing industries, but this has shifted to include industries such as health and sciences.
Simcoe County
Simcoe County is located just north of the Greater Toronto Area, stretching from the shores of Lake Simcoe in the east to Georgian Bay in the west. Simcoe County is informally split into two subregions, “South Simcoe” and “North Simcoe”.
Guelph & Wellington County
Wellington County, made up of two towns and five townships, is predominantly rural in nature surrounding the independent city of Guelph. The northern part of the county is made up of mainly rural farming communities, while many of the residents in the southern part of the county commute to urban areas.
Northumberland County
Northumberland County is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, east of Toronto, and consists of seven municipalities. It is known for its natural areas, forests, waterfront areas, and recreation opportunities.
Dufferin County
Dufferin County sits on the fringe of the Greater Toronto Area, about 100 kilometres northwest of Toronto. Originally an agriculturally based economy, Dufferin’s economy has diversified to include tourism, retail, construction, and manufacturing.