Toronto – where you belong (T.O. State of Mind)

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A Brief History of Toronto – the city officially became Toronto on March 6, 1834, but its roots are much more ancient than that. In the 1600s, a Frenchman named Etiene Brule was sent into the not-yet Canadian wilderness by the famous explorer Samuel de Champlain to see what he could discover. He discovered plenty; the river and portage routes from the St. Lawrence St. Lawrence to Lake Huron, possibly Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, and eventually Lake Ontario. Of course, native Huron peoples had known this area between the Humber and Don Rivers for centuries 0 and had long called it "Toronto", believed to mean " meeting place". Later a bustling village called Telaiagon grew up here, and then it was the site of a French trading post. After British won the Seven Years' War, the

trading post was renamed "York" in 1793. More than 40 years later, the city again took the name Toronto. Following an unsuccessful American invasion in 1812, several devastating fires, and a rebellion in 1837, there was a slow and steady increase in the population of white Anglo-Saxon Protestants leading into the 20^th century. Since WWII, though, Toronto has attracted residents from all over the world. Unlike the America "melting pot" phenomenon that melds everyone together, Toronto is more of a "tossed salad" of diverse ethnic group.


Toronto is divided into 6 neighborhoods:


OLD TORONTO - a visually exciting streetscape results from the mix of old buildings, new buildings, and old buildings restored for new uses. The area's draws include the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum, the Hummingbird and St. Lawrence cultural centers, the lively St. Lawrence Market, and the Historic Distillery District.


FINANCIAL DISTRICT – Canada's financial and legal power is focused on Bay Street, west of Old Toronto. It's home to imposing skyscrapers in various early – and late-20^th century styles and the most of the major theaters. In the 1990's, TEDA (Toronto Entertainment District Association) was formed by neighborhood theaters, hotels, and restaurants to better publicized its attractions. Cinemas, dance, clubs, comedy clubs, 250 restaurants, and many of the big hotels and boutique lodging are all within this Entertainment District.










THE HARBOURFRONT – Toronto is bordered by lake Lake Ontario, and after decades of neglect the city has turned its waterfront into a major asset. This most southerly area of the city includes lots of opportunities for outdoor activities and amusements, making it ideal for visitors with children. Among the attractions along the waterfront are Ontario Place, CN Tower, Air Canada Center, Rogers Center, Fort York, and Harbourfront Center, a cultural and recreation. Just a 15-minute ferryboat rides across Toronto Bay, is the best-kept secret of them all, the Toronto Islands.


 DUNDAS and QUEEN STREETS - the north-central core area of Dundas and Queen streets is interesting for the vibrant street life of Kensington Market, Chinatown, and Nathan Philips Square. Cultural interest can be filled by the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Ontario College of Art and Design, many commercial galleries, and two restored historic homes. Shoppers flock to the mammoth Eaton Center and fashionable Queen Street West with its trendsetting habitués. These days West Queen West, as far out as Dufferin Street, is turning into the hip new area, with boutiques, galleries, and lots of places to eat and drink – including the happening Drake and Gladstone Hotels.


QUUEE'S PARK AREA – just north of Dundas and Queen streets area, the Ontario provincial legislature and the main campus of the University of Toronto occupy prime central real estate. The area is liberally scattered with parks and lawns as well as libraries and museums, including the world famous Royal Ontario Museum. On the northern edge of this area is Yorkville, filled with restaurants and elegant, upscale stores and boutiques. To the west is the Little Italy, with restaurants and cafes along College Street that have made it one of the coolest scenes in town. The Church-Wellesley area to the east is a vibrant and safe gay community that hosts Pride Week in June, attracting more than a million people.




GREATER TORONTO – head north on Yonge Street from Bloor Street to reach residential Midtown, a hotbed of trendy restaurants and upscale shopping northwest of downtown. Many smaller neighbourhoods compose this area, including Eglinton, Summerhill, Rosedale, St. Clair, and Davisville. Casa Loma, in the Midtown neighborhood of Forest Hill, is surrounded by leafy streets and multimillion-dollar homes. Northwest of the city is paramount Canada's Wonderland, theme park, and Black Creek Pioneer Village, which re-creates a mid-19-century community. A bit farther, out, in the town of Kleinburg, is the outstanding McMicahel Canadian art Collection. Most People visit the northeastern suburban section of Toronto for the hands-on Ontario Science Center in North York and the outstanding Toronto Zoo in Scarborough, but the sprawling Edward Gardens are also a draw. Directly east of Downtown is Greektown, which is centered on Danforth Avenue and southeast is the Beaches, a bohemian waterfront neighbourhood perfect for a boardwalk stroll and some shopping. Huge and lovely High Park is the highlight of southwest Toronto, but West Indian, German, Polish, and Ukranian enclaves attract those hungering for homemade ethnic trates.