Toronto
the capital of the province of Ontario. In size it is the second city of Canada. It is situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, about forty miles from the mouth of the Niagara. The harbor is large, deep, and is well protected by a low island. Toronto ranks next to Montreal as a commercial and railroad center. It is the leading Canadian lake port, and compares favorably with Buffalo, Cleveland, and Toledo. Toronto is a city of parks and well kept streets, of attractive houses and tasteful business blocks. The street car system is operated by means of electricity, generated by the Falls of Niagara. A number of imposing public buildings create an impression of intelligence and good management. Among these are the Parliament buildings (corresponding to a state capitol), the law courts, the city hall and court house, custom house, postoffice, and the educational offices and normal buildings, as well as the cathedrals of the Anglican and the Catholic churches. There are numerous theaters and other buildings of a semi-public character. The most noticeable group of buildings is that occupied by the University of Toronto. This institution has over 2,000 students. It corresponds to the state universities of the Northwest. It was opened in 1843. It has a reputation for high scholarship, and is the natural outcome of the system of thorough education for which the province of Ontario is noted.
Toronto is a Huron word, signifying place of meeting. The seat of government was transferred from Fort Niagara to the site of the present city in 1793. General Simcoe, the commander's, first headquarters were established in a tent. The Canadian Pacific, the Grand Trunk, and other railways combine with the lake trade to make Toronto a city of commercial importance. In 1900 the city had $40,000,000 worth of imports and exports and the custom house collected $8,000,000 in duties. The population, as given for 1901, was 208,040. In 1909 it was estimated at 250,000.