Southern Ontario

Southern Ontario is home to some of the most diverse landscapes and populations within Canada. Toronto, which is not only the capital of Ontario, boasts that it is, "the cultural, entertainment and financial capital of Canada." This excerpt comes from the official City of Toronto website. There is a host of information contained within this link, including statistics that make Toronto the clear multicultural city of Canada. Ethnic diversity within Southern Ontario is most clearly seen within the boundaries of Toronto, where over 150 languages are spoken everyday, and 50% of the residents are foreign born. This city has adapted to this diverse ethnic mosaic by creating portals such as Chinatown and Kensington Market. These sections allow immigrants to become a part of the Canadian landscape, while still maintaining their own traditions. As Bannerji states in his article, this is the kind of multiculturalism that all of Canada must strive for. The type in which citizens and immigrants of Canada are welcome to celebrate their own diversity, traditions and differences within the boundaries of Canada. This is exactly what Toronto tries to maintain, making it the ethnic centre of the country.

Ethnicity within all of Southern Ontario is quite vast, as most immigrants choose to move to this area of the country. Much of this is due to good financial prospects and opportunities, as well as the many different areas that are optimal for settling down. Southwestern Ontario is known for its rich land that is able to farm many different fruits and vegetables, as well as tobacco. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture website makes it very clear that farming is an integral part of Southern Ontario's identity. This symbol is closely accompanied by the Great Lakes and Niagara Falls, which are both known as symbols of Southern Ontario around the world. Horseshoe Falls of Niagara Falls, which is one of the seven wonders of the world, is nestled on the Canadian-American border. Not only is this a natural symbol of Southern Ontario, it is yet another multicultural hotspot in Canada. The Official Niagara Falls Tourism website highlights many different opportunities and attractions for people from all over the world.

Some other symbols of Southern Ontario which are known around the world are: Peelee Island which is the southernmost tip of Canada, Grand River Country which is home to a Canadian heritage river and Aboriginal culture, and Shakespeare Country which hosts the world-renowned Stratford Festival. All of these cultural symbols define Southern Ontario in different ways, and all offer opportunities to experience the diverse landscapes and heritage of this region.

Symbols and Ethnicity go hand in hand when it comes to Southern Ontario. It is the symbols of this region that attract immigrants, and it is the many different immigrants and cultural backgrounds that make Southern Ontario the multicultural land that it is. Without one, the other would not be possible. Ethnicity and symbols of this region will continue to be diverse, and will continue to make Southern Ontario the neverending cultural experience that it is.