| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Toronto. |
Toronto History
|
|
While people have only lived
in Toronto’s urban center since 1793, when British colonials
founded the area and dubbed it the Town of York, people have
inhabited the area for almost 11,000 years. That’s when
the first indigenous people moved here from the south, after
the last ice age.
The indigenous tribes first made contact in the 17th century
with the Europeans, who crossed the ocean
|
to what is now known as Canada. During the 18th century, the French
built small trading posts along the area. In 1793, the lieutenant-governor
of Upper Canada established a settlement called York, where a military
post and civilian town slowly grew to defend against American invasions.
The War of 1812 crippled York, and it was home to only 720 people
by 1814. However, beginning in 1815, the area expanded quickly as
it became a trading hotspot. By 1834, the City of Toronto was born
and became Upper Canada’s largest community with 9,250 members.
But the economy took a downturn and many citizens fell seriously ill
and died when cholera and typhus struck in the 1830s and 1840s. Eventually,
the economy strengthened and transportation services expanded, becoming
more reliable as the railway era began, and helping the city reach
a population of 30,775 in 1851. Neighborhoods popped up, with distinct
residential and commercial properties, and large public halls and
cathedrals—like the St Lawrence Hall and St James’ Cathedral—were
erected.
After Toronto joined the Confederation of Canada in 1867, the city
grew both culturally and in prosperity. The Royal Ontario Museum
came to fruition in 1912 and, exactly ten years later, so too did
the Toronto Symphony. Meanwhile, the city’s population grew
to 667,500 by 1941, up from 208,000 in 1901. It slowly became more
ethnically diverse after the Great Depression ended and became culturally
rich after numerous waves of immigrants came to the city following
the end of World War II in 1945. Today, the city is Canada’s
largest and at the heart of the nation’s commercial, industrial,
financial and cultural life. It’s often compared to as the
New York City of Canada and features 11 museums that focus solely
on the history of Toronto.
More Information
 www.state.gov
|
|
|
Toronto Travel Guides
Frommer's Toronto
Lonely Planet Toronto
Let's Go Toronto
Fodors Toronto
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
