Niagara Falls, Ontario

City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls skyline at night
Niagara Falls skyline at night
Nickname(s): The Honeymoon Capital of the World
Location of Niagara Falls in the Niagara Region
Location of Niagara Falls in the Niagara Region
Coordinates:
Country Canada Flag of Canada.svg
Province Ontario Flag of Ontario.svg
Region Niagara
Incorporated June 12, 1903
Government
 - Mayor Ted Salci
 - Governing body Niagara Falls City Council
 - MP Rob Nicholson
 - MPP Kim Craitor
Area [1][2]
 - City 209.58 km² (80.9 sq mi)
 - Urban 382.68 km² (147.8 sq mi)
 - Metro 1,397.50 km² (539.6 sq mi)
Population (2006)[1][2]
 - City 82,181 (Ranked 60th)
 - Density 392.14/km² (1,015.6/sq mi)
 - Urban 308,596 (Ranked 12th)
 - Urban Density 545.02/km² (1,411.6/sq mi)
 - Metro 390,317 (Ranked 12th)
 - Metro Density 279.3/km² (723.4/sq mi)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Postal Code L2E-L2J, L0S
Area code(s) 905/289
Website: [2]
Skyline of Niagara Falls, Canada, as seen from Niagara Falls State Park across the river.

Niagara Falls is a Canadian city of 82,184 residents[1] on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of south-central Ontario. It lies across the river from Niagara Falls, New York, and was incorporated on June 12, 1903.

The city is dominated by Niagara Falls, a world famous set of two large waterfalls on the Niagara River and benefits from the fact that both falls, the American and Horseshoe, can be best seen from the Canadian side of the river, thus presenting the city one of the major tourist attractions of the world. The natural spectacle brings in millions of tourists yearly. The city permitted the development of a tourist area along the falls and the gorge. This area which stretches along the Niagara River parkway and tourist promenade is particularly concentrated at the brink of the falls and, apart from the natural attractions along the river, includes huge parking lots, souvenir shops, observation towers, high-rise-hotels, casinos and theatres, mostly with colourful neon billboards and advertisements. Further to the north or south there are golf courses alongside historic sites from the War of 1812.

Contents

History

The Niagara Falls area has seen continuous settlement since the 17th century, first by the Iroquois and then by Europeans who were drawn to the immense falls. Louis Hennepin, a French priest, is regarded as the first European to visit the area in the 1670s.

Tourism started in the early 19th century and has been a vital part of the local economy since that time. As well as the obvious attractions of the falls, Niagara Falls markets itself as a honeymoon destination and is self-proclaimed as the honeymoon capital of the world. In 1953, Marilyn Monroe filmed Niagara (1953 film), a major event for the city.

With the creation of a Niagara regional government in 1970, the city amalgamated with the village of Chippawa and surrounding Willoughby, Crowland, and Stamford Townships, creating the present-day municipal boundaries.

The City's Official Historian is Sherman Zavitz, who gives regular radio broadcasts on many aspects of Niagara's history [3].

Geography and Climate

Niagara Falls, Ontario is 130 kilometers (81 mi) from Toronto by road. The area of the Niagara Region is 1800 square kilometers (718 sq mi). The city sits at .

Topography

The city is built along the Niagara Falls waterfalls and the Niagara Gorge on the Niagara River which flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.

Climate

The weather and climate for the Niagara Region of Ontario is moderate to extreme in both summer and winter. There are considerable extremes in either temperature or the type of weather that might be associated with locations that are in close proximity to a landmass such as the bodies of water surrounding the region.[4]

Niagara Falls climate normals from Environment Canada[4] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avg. temp. (°C) -4.5 -4.1 1 7.3 14 19.1 22.3 21.4 16.9 10.6 4.7 -1.4
Avg high temp. (°C) -1 -0.5 5.1 12.2 19.3 24.2 27.2 26 21.3 14.7 8 1.9
Avg low temp. (°C) -7.9 -7.7 -3.2 2.4 8.6 13.9 17.2 16.7 12.5 6.4 1.3 -4.7
Precipitation (millimeters) 69.5 67.4 75.5 75.5 76.5 87.5 75.4 81.6 95.2 84.3 91 90.7

Demographics

Ethnic Origin Population Percent
English 22,880 29.32%
Italian 15,425 19.77%
Scottish 13,910 17.82%
Irish 11,200 14.35%
French 8,710 11.16%
Source: 2001 Census of Canada[5]

In 2006, the population of Niagara Falls was 82,184 persons[3], an increase of 4.3 percent from the previous 2001 census, slightly below national growth, while the metropolitan area enumerated 427,421 people. The population of Niagara Falls is older than Canada in general in terms of age structure. Youths under 14 years of age number 18.09%, while those of retirement age number 17.03% showing a continuous ageing trend. Some 5,130 (6.57%) inhabitants described themselves visible minorities (non-white/non-European)[4].

83.97% of Niagara Falls city residents self-identified with Christian denominations. The largest denominations consist of Catholic (41.99%), Protestant (36.80%), and 5.18% other Christian mostly Orthodox, 14.10% claimed no religious affiliation, while minor religions (1.93%) including Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim accounted for the rest.[6]

Communities

Niagara Falls Neighbourhoods

Business and Tourist Centers

Economy

Niagara Falls, Ontario. The hub of tourism, including the casinos, are now in the Fallsview area shown in the background

With a plentiful and inexpensive source of hydroelectric power via the waterfalls, many electro-chemical and electro-metallurgical industries located here in the early to mid-20th century.

Industry began moving out of the city in the 1970s and 80s because of recession and increasing global competition in the manufacturing sector. Tourism tightened its grip as the city's most important economic engine. It is a more popular destination than Niagara Falls, New York, in part due to the better view of the falls from the Canadian side. Also, Ontario's drinking age of 19 (compared to the 21 drinking age in the United States) attracts many 19 and 20-year-olds from the United States to the bars on the Canadian side.

In the mid-1990s the Ontario government introduced legal wagering to the local economy with Casino Niagara. The late-1990s witnessed an economic boom as numerous luxury hotels and tourist attractions were built. The first casino was followed in 2004 by the larger Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Upon launching, the casino business was successful in attracting American tourists due to the then lower Canadian dollar. However, with a United States Dollar lower than parity, the Seneca Niagara Casino on the American side, and a casino facility coming to Buffalo, New York, as well as impending passport requirements on the American side, the local tourist economy is not without potential problems.

The recent development has been almost completely centred on the Clifton Hill and Fallsview areas. The Niagara Falls downtown is undergoing a major revitalization process, this area is being developed into a arts and culture district. The downtown was a major centre for local commerce and night life up until the 1970s, when the development of the Niagara Square (mall) began to draw away crowds and retailers. In 2006, New York City based developer Aaron Lichtman proposed a major investment in the area to encourage new retail development; the proposal, titled Historic Niagara, remains dependent on government funding of complementary services. Since then Historic Niagara has brought art galleries, boutiques, cafes and bistros to the street and includes the renovation of the Seneca Theatre.

Government

Niagara Falls City Council consists of 8 councilors and 1 Mayor. City elections take place every 4 years with the next election in November 2010. Council is responsible for policy and decision making, monitoring the operation and performance of the city, analyzing and approving budgets and determining spending priorities.

Education

Niagara Falls has two post-secondary institutions as well is served by the District School Board of Niagara and the Niagara Catholic District School Board which operate elementary and secondary schools in the region. There are also numerous private institutions offer alternatives to the traditional education systems.

Post Secondary

High Schools

Library

Niagara Falls is also served by a growing library system composed of four branches, with the main branch located in the downtown area. It is visited by over 10,000 people weekly. The Niagara Falls Public Library system's goals include preserving and indexing public materials relating to the history of Niagara Falls. An extensive online database exists with over 20,000 photographs and art works at Historic Niagara Digital Collections

Sites of Interest

Horseshoe Falls
The Skylon Tower as seen through a light display.

The Niagara Falls, Ontario tourist district is mainly centred around the waterfalls. Much of the land adjoining the river is parkland under the jurisdiction of the Niagara Parks Commission. Many attractions based on the local natural environment have been created. To prolong visitor stays the city of Niagara Falls has a number of additional attractions in close proximity but not related to the natural features, including casinos and entertainment complexes. One new attraction, located in the Table Rock Center at the brink of the Horseshoe Falls, is called Niagara's Fury and is a representation of how the Falls were created. The attraction creates a simulated ice age environment where the visitor is able to feel rain and snow fall, as well as experience a rapid temperature drop. The Niagara Peninsula is also a significant wine-growing area, with winery tours and festivals becoming a significant area of growth in the local economy.The Canadian side of Niagara Falls has more attractions.

Falls observation related attractions

Niagara River and parkway attractions

The Niagara Falls Hard Rock Cafe
Clifton Hill

Tourist sector entertainment

Transportation

Highways

Niagara Falls and Niagara Falls, New York are linked to major highways in Canada and the United States respectively, with the 400-Series highway the Queen Elizabeth Way acting as a major artery between Toronto, Ontario and Buffalo, New York. Highway 420 is also another highway in the city. Niagara Parkway is a road operated under the Niagara Parks Commission.

Regional airports

Shuttle bus services connect the city with all three airports.

Rail

Bus

Cabs and shuttlebuses

Media

Niagara Falls is served by two main local newspapers, three radio stations and a community television channel. All other media is regional based, as well from Hamilton, Toronto and nearby Buffalo, New York.

Niagara Falls is considered part of the Toronto television market rather than the Buffalo television market. While Niagara Falls is directly across the Niagara River from the American side of the Buffalo area, Toronto is an hour and a half northwest. However, it is considered part of the Buffalo radio market.

Newspapers

Due to its proximity to Toronto and Buffalo, the local media is dominated by Toronto and Buffalo outlets. Local residents have easy access to the papers like the Toronto Star and the Toronto Sun. The Buffalo News is also widely available.

Local newspapers are:

Radio

Television

Sports

Sports teams of Niagara Falls
Club League Sport Venue Established Championships
Niagara Falls Canucks Golden Horseshoe Junior B Hockey League Hockey Niagara Falls Memorial Arena 1979
 2
Niagara IceDogs Ontario Hockey League Hockey Gatorade Civic Center 2007
 2

Notable People From Niagara Falls

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Community Highlights, City of Niagara Falls". Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population (2007-03-13). Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "St. Catharines-Niagara Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) with census subdivision (municipal) population breakdowns, land areas and other data". Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population (2007-03-13). Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  3. ↑ Sherman Zavitz, 'Niagara Falls History',[1]
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, Niagara Falls, Ontario". Environment Canada (2004-02-25). Retrieved on 2007-03-23.
  5. ↑ "Selected Ethnic Origins, for Census Subdivisions (Municipalities) With 5,000-plus Population - 20% Sample Data". Statistics Canada, 2001 Census of Population. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  6. ↑ "Community Highlights, City of Niagara Falls". Statistics Canada, 2001 Census of Population (2007-01-02). Retrieved on 2007-03-17.

External links

Compass rose pale.svg St. Catharines Lake Ontario
Niagara-on-the-Lake		 Lewiston, NY
Compass rose pale.svg
 
Thorold North Niagara Falls, NY
West   Niagara Falls, Ontario    East
South
Welland
Port Colborne		 Fort Erie
Crystal Beach
Lake Erie		 Buffalo, NY
Regional Municipality of Niagara

Cities: Niagara Falls · Port Colborne · St. Catharines · Thorold · Welland

Towns: Fort Erie · Grimsby · Lincoln · Niagara-on-the-Lake · Pelham

Townships: Wainfleet · West Lincoln