Ontario Regions Map

Ontario is divided into five major regions, each with distinct geography, climate, and culture. Explore detailed maps for Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, and Central Ontario.

Northern Ontario

Ontario's largest region covering over 800,000 square kilometers. Home to Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, and vast wilderness areas. Features boreal forests, Canadian Shield landscapes, and Hudson Bay shoreline.

Major Cities: Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, North Bay, Kenora

Southern Ontario

Ontario's most populous region including the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, London, and Windsor. Features the Golden Horseshoe, Niagara Peninsula, and Great Lakes shoreline.

Major Cities: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, London, Windsor, Kitchener

Eastern Ontario

Home to Canada's capital Ottawa and historic Kingston. Features the Ottawa River valley, Thousand Islands, and St. Lawrence River. Rich in Canadian history and heritage sites.

Major Cities: Ottawa, Kingston, Cornwall, Belleville, Brockville, Pembroke

Western Ontario

Southwestern region along Lake Huron and Lake Erie shorelines. Important agricultural area with major cities London and Windsor. Features Niagara Escarpment and Bruce Peninsula.

Major Cities: London, Windsor, Sarnia, Stratford, Owen Sound, Chatham-Kent

Central Ontario

Ontario's cottage country and recreation heartland. Features Muskoka, Kawartha Lakes, and Georgian Bay. Popular destination for tourism and outdoor activities.

Major Cities: Barrie, Peterborough, Orillia, Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst

Understanding Ontario's Regional Geography

Ontario's five regions reflect the province's diverse geography, climate, and settlement patterns. From the densely populated urban corridor of Southern Ontario to the wilderness of the North, each region has unique characteristics.

Regional Characteristics

  • Northern Ontario: Largest by area, smallest by population. Resource-based economy with mining, forestry, and tourism.
  • Southern Ontario: Economic powerhouse with over 12 million people. Finance, manufacturing, technology, and agriculture.
  • Eastern Ontario: Government, technology, and tourism. Bilingual communities along the Quebec border.
  • Western Ontario: Agriculture, manufacturing, and border trade with the United States.
  • Central Ontario: Tourism, recreation, and cottage country. Gateway to Northern Ontario.

Population Distribution

Over 90% of Ontario's 15 million people live in Southern Ontario, with the Greater Toronto Area alone accounting for nearly half the provincial population. Northern Ontario, despite covering 90% of the land area, has fewer than 800,000 residents.

Regional FAQs

How many regions does Ontario have?

Ontario is commonly divided into 5 major regions: Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, and Central Ontario. These are geographic and cultural divisions, not administrative units.

What is the largest region in Ontario?

Northern Ontario is the largest region by area, covering approximately 800,000 square kilometers (87% of the province), but has the smallest population.

Which region has the most people?

Southern Ontario has the largest population with over 12 million people, including the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, and other major urban centers.