Ontario geographic facts that will have you checking a map in disbelief

As Canada’s second-largest province by land area, Ontario spans a vast area that may come as a shock to many unfamiliar with the province’s quirky geography.

From balmy beaches in the south to majestic polar bears in the north, Ontario covers more ground than most countries, and even if you think you know everything there is about the province’s geographic oddities, there might still be some that come as a surprise.

Here are some Ontario geographic facts that will have you checking a map in disbelief.

Ontario is larger than you think

With an area of 1.076 million square kilometres, Ontario is larger than every European country besides Russia. You may have heard the saying, “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” but Ontario is roughly double the size of the Lone Star State.

Further south than California?

As Canada’s southernmost province, much of Ontario is not the frozen wasteland many people from abroad might picture. In fact, the province extends as far south as a U.S. state known for warm weather, palm trees, and sandy beaches. 

Ontario’s (and Canada’s) southernmost point at Point Pelee is further south than California’s northern border with Oregon. Don’t believe me? Check a map!

Our neighbour to the…north?

Americans call us their “neighbours to the north” (granted, they don’t know how to spell “neighbours”), but many Americans actually live north of Ontario’s major population centres.

California is just one of a shocking 27 U.S. states located partially or entirely north of Ontario’s southernmost point.

Is Northern Ontario really that far north?

The province’s northern hinterland may have a reputation for deep-freeze temperatures, but Ontario’s northernmost point sits at roughly the same latitude as Edinburgh, Scotland, and further south than countries including Estonia, Finland and Norway.

North-to-south span

Ontario’s northernmost and southernmost points are the same distance apart as Ontario’s southernmost point and Sanibel Island, Florida. 

The distance between Ontario’s southernmost point and Canada’s northernmost point (4600km) is equivalent to the distance between Toronto and the Brazil-Venezuela border.

Distance east to west

Ontario’s easternmost and westernmost points are as far apart as Toronto and Pensacola, Florida. 

Ontario shares a border with Nunavut

Open up mapping software and search Nunavut, and you’ll see that Ontario and Nunavut share maritime borders in James Bay along a handful of islands and river mouths.

Toronto is closer to the U.S. than…Toronto?

The saying goes that “Toronto is an hour from Toronto,” due to the city’s gridlock issues. But did you know that Toronto’s southernmost point is closer to the U.S. waters of Lake Ontario than it is to the city’s northern city limit? Go measure on Google Maps if you don’t believe me!

Islandception

Did you know that Ontario is home to the world’s largest (natural) island on a lake on an island on a lake? Treasure Island, also known as Mindemoya, is a tiny landmass within Lake Mindemoya. But here’s the thing: that lake is located within Manitoulin Island, which is itself surrounded by Lake Huron.