I.

Introduction

Ontario, one of the central provinces of Canada, bordered on the north by Hudson Bay and James Bay, on the east by Quebec, on the south-east by the American state of New York, on the south by Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Superior and the American state of Michigan, on the south-west by the American state of Minnesota, and on the west by Manitoba. The Ottawa River forms part of the eastern boundary, the St Lawrence and Niagara rivers part of the south-eastern boundary, the St Mary's, St Clair, and Detroit rivers part of the southern boundary, and the Rainy River part of the south-western boundary.

Ontario became part of the Canadian Confederation on July 1, 1867, as one of the four original provinces. It had been known as the province of Upper Canada (1791-1841) and from 1841 to 1867 was united with Quebec into one province. The province's name is derived from an Iroquois term perhaps meaning “beautiful lake”, a reference to Lake Ontario, or “rocks standing by the water”, a reference to Niagara Falls.