Central Canada facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Central Canada Canada central  (French)
Map of Central Canada, defined politically
Composition	Ontario Quebec
Largest city	Toronto
Largest metro	Greater Toronto Area
Canadian Confederation	1 July 1867
Area  (2021 - land, 2017 - fresh water)
• Total	2,552,291.51 km2 (985,445.26 sq mi)
• Land	2,191,011.51 km2 (845,954.27 sq mi)
• Water	361,280.00 km2 (139,490.99 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	22,725,775
• Density	10.4/km2 (27/sq mi)
Time zones
Western Ontario	UTC−06:00 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−05:00 (CDT)
Eastern Ontario / most of Quebec	UTC−05:00 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Eastern Quebec	UTC−04:00 (AST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−03:00 (ADT)

Central Canada is a very important region in Canada. It includes two of the country's largest and most populated provinces: Ontario and Quebec. Even though it's called "Central Canada," these provinces are actually more towards the eastern part of the country. Because so many people live here, Ontario and Quebec have a lot of influence in Canadian politics. This region is home to many big cities, including Toronto and Montreal, which are Canada's two largest cities, and Ottawa, which is the capital city of Canada.

Exploring Central Canada

Central Canada is a key area for the country's economy and culture. It is where many different people live and work. The region plays a big role in how Canada is governed.

A Look at Its Past

Before Canada became the country we know today, the area now called Central Canada was simply known as "Canada." The southern part of Ontario was once called Upper Canada, and later Canada West. Similarly, southern Quebec was known as Lower Canada, and then Canada East. These two areas joined together in 1841 to form the United Province of Canada. This was an important step before the larger country of Canada was created in 1867, an event known as Canadian Confederation.

Understanding the Land

Central Canada covers a huge area, combining the lands of Ontario and Quebec. Together, these two provinces make up about a quarter of Canada's total land area. They also hold a large amount of Canada's freshwater.

Ontario is the fourth largest subdivision in Canada. It has a land area of over 892,000 square kilometers. Quebec is Canada's second largest subdivision and its largest province. It has a land area of almost 1.3 million square kilometers. Both provinces have vast amounts of lakes and rivers.

Even though the region is called "Central Canada," its actual geographic center is not within these provinces. The true center of Canada, depending on how you measure it, is located further west in Manitoba or far north in Nunavut.

Ontario's Landscape

Ontario is known for its diverse geography. It features large forests, thousands of freshwater lakes, and the fertile lands of Southern Ontario. The province shares borders with the Great Lakes, which are the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. Northern Ontario is covered by the Canadian Shield, a vast area of ancient rock and forests.

Quebec's Landscape

Quebec is Canada's largest province and has a varied landscape. It includes the St. Lawrence River, which is a major waterway. The southern part of Quebec has rich agricultural land and is home to most of the province's population. Further north, the land becomes more rugged, with vast forests, lakes, and parts of the Canadian Shield.

Who Lives Here?

Ontario and Quebec are home to most of Canada's population. As of the 2021 census, over 22.7 million people lived in these two provinces. This means that more than 60% of all Canadians live in Central Canada. The population has continued to grow, showing that many people choose to make this region their home.

The people living in Central Canada come from many different backgrounds. There are many Indigenous communities, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people. The region is also very diverse, with people from all over the world making it their home. This mix of cultures makes Central Canada a vibrant and interesting place to live.

The southern parts of Ontario and Quebec are the most developed areas. This region, often called the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor, is where you find Canada's biggest cities and industries.

Major Cities and Communities

Central Canada is home to many important cities. These cities are centers for business, culture, and education. Here are some of the largest cities in the region by population:

Census Metropolitan Areas
Name	Province	Population	Land area	Density	Location	References
Toronto	Ontario	6,202,225	5,902.75 km2 (2,279.06 sq mi)	1,050.7/km2 (2,721.3/sq mi)
Montreal	Quebec	4,291,732	4,670.1 km2 (1,803.1 sq mi)	919.0/km2 (2,380.2/sq mi)
Ottawa - Gatineau	Ontario	1,488,307	8,046.99 km2 (3,106.96 sq mi)	185.0/km2 (479.1/sq mi)
Quebec City	Quebec	839,311	3,499.46 km2 (1,351.15 sq mi)	239.8/km2 (621.1/sq mi)
Hamilton	Ontario	785,184	1,373.15 km2 (530.18 sq mi)	571.8/km2 (1,481.0/sq mi)
Kitchener - Cambridge – Waterloo	Ontario	575,847	1,092.33 km2 (421.75 sq mi)	527.2/km2 (1,365.4/sq mi)
London	Ontario	543,551	2,661.48 km2 (1,027.60 sq mi)	204.2/km2 (528.9/sq mi)

Many other important cities and towns are found throughout Central Canada, contributing to its vibrant communities.

See also

• Central United States
• Great Lakes region