Located on the east-central side of Canada, Ontario is the second largest and the most populous of the country’s provinces. The province is home to the country’s capital, Ottawa, as well as Toronto, the most populous city in Canada. Ontario’s American border is dotted with several rivers and lakes, including four of the five Great Lakes.

The 2006 Canadian census estimated the province’s population at about 12,686,952 . The population of the state is growing rapidly, owing primarily to the presence of Toronto. The city draws in immigrants from all parts of the world, making population of the state extremely multi-cultural..

Since the province of Ontario is stretched across quite a large area, different regions experience varying climatic patterns. Southern Ontario has a humid, continental type of climate, with relatively hot, humid summers and cold winters. The Great Lakes are an influential factor and help keep the temperatures in a moderate range as compared to the northern part of the province. Summers experience the maximum precipitation.

Northern Ontario has a more extreme continental climate, with short summers and long, cold winters. The humidity during the summers is lower than the south. Snowfall can last from October to May, making a greater part of the year quite chilly. The climate is considerably moderate around the shores of Lake Superior.

Ontario's rivers, including its share of the Niagara River, make it rich in hydroelectric energy. Hydroelectric energy contributes to about 25% of the electric power generation in Ontario.

This steady supply of electricity production along with an abundance of natural resources, and excellent transportation links to the world via air, land and sea, have all contributed to making manufacturing the principal industry. Important products include motor vehicles, iron, steel, food, electrical appliances, machinery, chemicals, and paper.

Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is the center of Canada's financial services and banking industry. Suburban cities in the Greater Toronto Area such as Brampton, Mississauga and Vaughan are large product distribution centers, in addition to having automobile and other manufacturing industries. The information technology sector is also important, particularly in Markham, Waterloo and Ottawa.