Southern Ontario Map
Complete map of Southern Ontario including the GTA region.
About Toronto
Toronto is Ontario's provincial capital and Canada's most populous city, home to approximately 2.9 million residents. Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto serves as the economic and cultural heart of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which comprises over 6 million people.
The city is renowned for its diverse neighborhoods, including the financial district downtown, the historic Distillery District, multicultural areas like Kensington Market and Chinatown, and waterfront communities along Lake Ontario. Major landmarks include the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Royal Ontario Museum, and the Toronto Islands.
Toronto's economy is driven by finance, technology, film production, and tourism. The city is served by an extensive public transit network including the TTC subway system, streetcars, and buses. Major highways include the Gardiner Expressway, Don Valley Parkway (DVP), and Highway 401, which runs along the northern boundary of the city. Toronto Pearson International Airport, located in nearby Mississauga, is Canada's busiest airport and a major international hub.
Toronto Neighborhoods & Districts
Toronto is divided into numerous distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character. Downtown Toronto includes the Financial District, Entertainment District, and St. Lawrence Market. The Annex, Yorkville, and Rosedale offer upscale residential areas, while Queen West, Leslieville, and the Beaches provide trendy shopping and dining experiences. Scarborough, North York, and Etobicoke represent the city's former suburbs, amalgamated into the City of Toronto in 1998.
| Area | Where | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Financial & Entertainment District | Downtown core | Bank towers, CN Tower, Rogers Centre, theatres |
| Old Town / St. Lawrence | East of downtown | St. Lawrence Market, the Distillery District |
| Yorkville & The Annex | Midtown / north of Bloor | Luxury shopping, the ROM, the University of Toronto |
| Kensington & Chinatown | West of downtown | Independent shops, multicultural food |
| Queen West & Leslieville | West and east ends | Galleries, cafes, design shops |
| The Beaches | East end on the lake | Boardwalk, sandy beaches, Woodbine Park |
| Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke | Outer city | Residential suburbs, the Scarborough Bluffs, Ontario Science Centre |
Getting around Toronto
The TTC runs the subway, streetcars and buses; its two main subway lines (Line 1 in a U-shape through downtown and Line 2 east-west along Bloor-Danforth) cover most visitor destinations. GO Transit trains and buses link Toronto with the wider Greater Toronto Area and beyond - including a service to Niagara Falls. Drivers use the Gardiner Expressway along the waterfront, the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) on the east side, and Highway 401 across the top of the city - one of North America's busiest highways. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Canada's busiest, sits just west of the city in Mississauga and connects to Union Station by the UP Express train in about 25 minutes.
Toronto map FAQ
What region of Ontario is Toronto in?
Toronto sits in Southern Ontario, on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario, at the centre of the Greater Toronto Area and the wider Golden Horseshoe.
Is Toronto the capital of Ontario?
Yes. Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada, with about 2.9 million people in the city and over 6 million across the GTA. (Canada's national capital is Ottawa.)
How do I get from Toronto to Niagara Falls?
It is about 130 km - roughly 1.5 hours by car on the QEW, or about 2.5 hours by GO Train plus the WEGO bus. See our directions to Niagara Falls guide.