There’s No Place Like Home: Ontario’s Natural Wonders

The name “Ontario” originates from an Iroquoian word meaning “sparkling” or “beautiful” water. With more than 250,000 lakes and countless rivers and streams, it’s not hard to see how our province got its name.

A Vast Landscape

The wonders of Ontario stretch far and wide:

• At 1,078,395 square kilometres, Ontario exceeds the size of Spain and France combined
• Ontario has about 250,000 lakes containing one-third of the world’s freshwater
• Ontario features four of the five Great Lakes – Erie, Huron, Ontario and Superior
• Bigger even than the Amazon Forest, the Boreal Forest spreads across Canada and comprises 50% of Ontario’s landscape
• Wasaga Beach is the world’s longest freshwater beach
• Manitoulin Island is the world’s biggest freshwater island
• Ontario is home to 70 globally significant Important Bird Areas, 653 protected areas and 4 United Nations Biosphere Reserves

Incredible Species Diversity

Ontario’s diverse geography and climate have allowed an array of wildlife to live and thrive. Ontario is home to:

• 3,600 plant species
• 483 bird species, of which approximately 300 breed in Ontario
• 154 fish species
• 81 mammal species, including black bears, moose and boreal caribou
• 47 amphibian and reptile species
• More than 240 at-risk plant and animal species
• Approximately 85 billion trees

Provincial Emblems

The White Trillium

No plant echoes the patience and perseverance of this land better perhaps than its provincial emblem, the trillium. Nestled in the damp shade of southern Ontario woodlands, the flower is a seasonal wonder. Trilliums take 15 years to reach flowering, remaining in the same location for up to 26 years. But not only do they teach us patience, but respect for the time it takes to regrow what we take. If their flowers are picked, these plants take another seven years to reopen.

The Common Loon

This species is the official avian emblem of Ontario. The bird can be easily identified by its black and white checkered back, black head and black neck which is adorned with a white “necklace.” Loons swim low in the water. Sometimes, only their heads can be seen peeking above the surface.

Unlike many other birds, the bones of the loon are solid. This allows it to dive to depths of up to 80 metres. Unfortunately, heavy bones make it difficult to fly. To compensate, loons run along the surface of the water into the wind to become airborne. Although babies can swim immediately, they can often be seen riding on the backs of their parents to conserve energy and for protection from predators such as snapping turtles and eagles.

The Eastern White Pine

This is Ontario’s official tree. It can be found throughout the boreal forest and can live up to 300 years old! These large evergreens are easy to identify. The bottom half of the trunk is branchless and the needles grow in bunches of five.

ID trick: There are five letters in the word white and the needles of the white pine grow together in bunches of five!

Northern Ontario

Comprising 87% of Ontario’s land area, northern Ontario accounts for only 6% of the population. Known for its abundance of freshwater, it can be easy to forget that Ontario is a maritime province with a saltwater coastline! Stretching along the top of Ontario are the Hudson and James bay coastlines that are home to Arctic wildlife like the beluga whales and polar bears.

For more information about what to do and see in Ontario, check:

• Ontario tourism: www.destinationontario.com/en-ca
• Government of Ontario: www.ontario.ca
• Ontario Provincial Parks: www.ontarioparks.com/en