St. Catharines

St. Catharines is a city in the Province of Ontario, Canada. It is the largest city in Canada's Niagara Region and the sixth largest urban area in Ontario. St. Catharines carries the official nickname "The Garden City" due to its 1,000 acres of parks, gardens, and trails.

History

St. Catharines was incorporated as a city in 1876. The city was named after Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian saint martyred in the early 4th century. The area was originally settled by Loyalists in the 1780s.

Geography

St. Catharines is located between Toronto and Buffalo, New York. It is 51 kilometres south of Toronto across Lake Ontario, and is 19 kilometres inland from the international boundary with the United States along the Niagara River.

Economy

The economy of St. Catharines is defined by its diversity. The city is home to a wide range of businesses and industries, including manufacturing, retail, health and wellness, education, and arts and culture. Major employers in the city include General Motors, Brock University, and the Niagara Health System.

Culture

St. Catharines is known for its vibrant arts scene, with numerous galleries, theatres, and performance spaces. The city is home to the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and the Rodman Hall Art Centre. The city also hosts the annual Niagara Grape & Wine Festival, celebrating the region's winemaking industry.

Education

St. Catharines is home to Brock University, one of Canada's top post-secondary institutions. The city also has a number of public and private schools, overseen by the District School Board of Niagara and the Niagara Catholic District School Board.

Transportation

St. Catharines is served by the St. Catharines Transit Commission, which provides bus service throughout the city. The city is also accessible by the Queen Elizabeth Way, a major highway that connects Toronto to the U.S. border.

See also

• List of people from St. Catharines
• Niagara Peninsula