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Hamilton, Ontario

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Hamilton is a busy port city in the Canadian province of Ontario.

HamiltonOntarioSkylineC
HamiltonOntarioSkylineC

It sits near the western end of Lake Ontario. The city is part of a region called the Golden Horseshoe. Most of the city sits on the south shore of the lake.

8Hamilton Marina
8Hamilton Marina

A large feature called the Niagara Escarpment runs through the middle of the city. This ridge splits the area into "upper" and "lower" Hamilton. The highest point is 250 meters above the lake level.

HamiltonOntarioSkylineC
HamiltonOntarioSkylineC

To the north, the city reaches the water at Hamilton Harbour. A long sandbar called the Beachstrip sits in the water there. A ship canal allows large boats to enter the deep port.

Nature and industry live side by side in this city.

Waterdawn Webster Falls5
Waterdawn Webster Falls5

There are more than 100 waterfalls located within the city limits. You can also explore the Royal Botanical Gardens or the Bruce Trail. Many people call Hamilton an industrial powerhouse that co-exists with nature.

HamiltonOntarioSkylineC
HamiltonOntarioSkylineC

The city's economy has changed a lot over time. For a long time, it was known for making steel and heavy goods. In the 2010s, more people began working in health and science. This shift moved the city toward service sector jobs.

Long ago, the Neutral First Nation used much of this land.

Dundurn Castle in the Summer
Dundurn Castle in the Summer

Later, the Iroquois people also lived in the area. In 1792, the Crown purchased the land from the Mississaugas. This was known as the Between the Lakes Purchase. After the War of 1812, George Hamilton bought a farm here. He planned the town of Hamilton on his land. He used a grid pattern for the streets. This pattern used straight lines for the north and south roads.

Hamilton grew quickly as a center for trade and law.

Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King 2018 - Hamilton, ON
Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King 2018 - Hamilton, ON

In 1816, it became the administrative center for the Gore District. A canal was cut through the sandbar in 1832. This helped the city become a major port for ships. By 1845, the town had 6,475 people living there. It officially became a city on June 9, 1846.

Birds-Eye View of Hamilton City Hall
Birds-Eye View of Hamilton City Hall

In the late 1800s, many large buildings were built. The city even had the first telephone exchange in the British Empire.

Today, Hamilton is a large and diverse place to live.

Birds-Eye View of Hamilton City Hall
Birds-Eye View of Hamilton City Hall

About 569,353 people live in the city itself. The wider area has over 785,000 residents. People who live here are called Hamiltonians. The city is home to many important schools.

Alma mater - recent grad
Alma mater - recent grad

McMaster University is one of the best in Canada. The city also has many parks and beautiful sites.

JohnWeirFooteVCArmouries
JohnWeirFooteVCArmouries

It remains a very important part of southern Ontario.

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🖼️ Images & Media (13)
File:Waterdawn Webster Falls5.jpg
Waterdawn Webster Falls5.jpg
File:8Hamilton Marina.JPG
8Hamilton Marina.JPG
File:HamiltonOntarioSkylineC.JPG
HamiltonOntarioSkylineC.JPG
File:Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King 2018 - Hamilton, ON.jpg
Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King...
File:Birds-Eye View of Hamilton City Hall.jpg
Birds-Eye View of Hamilton City Hall.jpg
File:JohnWeirFooteVCArmouries.JPG
JohnWeirFooteVCArmouries.JPG
File:Dundurn Castle in the Summer.jpg
Dundurn Castle in the Summer.jpg
File:Tim Hortons Field Exterior.JPG
Tim Hortons Field Exterior.JPG
File:FirstOntario_Centre_-_Hamilton,_ON.jpg
FirstOntario_Centre_-_Hamilton,_ON.jpg
File:Alma mater - recent grad.jpg
Alma mater - recent grad.jpg
File:RHVP_Shield.png
RHVP_Shield.png
File:LINC_Shield.png
LINC_Shield.png

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