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Southwestern Ontario facts for kids

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Southwestern Ontario
Secondary region
Map of Ontario SOUTHWESTERN.svg
Country Canada Canada
Province Ontario Ontario
Area
 • Total 36,797.54 km2 (14,207.61 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)
 • Total 2,583,544
 • Density 70.209693/km2 (181.84227/sq mi)
Time zone UTC−4 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) EDT
Postal code prefixes
N
Area code(s) 519, 226, 548, 905, 289, 365

Southwestern Ontario is a special part of Southern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario. It's a busy and important area. This region is known for its rich farmland and big cities.

It stretches from the Bruce Peninsula in the north all the way down to Lake Erie in the south. If you travel from east to west, it goes from Guelph to Windsor. London is the biggest city here.

Discovering Southwestern Ontario

Southwestern Ontario is a unique area. It has a mix of busy cities and quiet farmlands. Many people call this region home.

Where is Southwestern Ontario?

This region is located in the southwestern part of Ontario. It's like a big rectangle on the map.

  • To the north, it reaches the Bruce Peninsula. This area is famous for its beautiful natural parks.
  • To the south, it touches the shores of Lake Erie. This is one of the Great Lakes.
  • On its eastern side, you'll find the city of Guelph.
  • To the west, it extends to Windsor. Windsor is right across the border from the United States.

People and Cities

In 2016, about 2.5 million people lived in Southwestern Ontario. That's a lot of people! The region has many towns and cities.

London: The Biggest City

London is the largest city in Southwestern Ontario. It's a hub for many activities. It has universities, hospitals, and lots of shops. It's often called "The Forest City" because of its many trees.

What Drives the Economy?

The economy of Southwestern Ontario is strong. It relies on two main things: farming and making cars.

Farming in the Region

Agriculture is a huge part of life here. The land is very fertile. Farmers grow many different crops. These include corn, soybeans, and wheat. They also raise livestock like cows and pigs. This region helps feed many people.

Making Cars

Southwestern Ontario is also a big center for making cars. Many car factories are located here. They build parts for cars or even whole vehicles. This creates many jobs for people in the region.

Trade with the United States

A lot of Canada's trade with the United States happens through Southwestern Ontario. Goods travel across the border here. This makes the region a very important pathway for business. It connects Canada to its neighbors to the south.

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