Hamilton City sits at the centre of a densely populated region at the western end of Lake Ontario known as The Golden Horseshoe. Hamilton’s population measured in the 2011 census is about 520,000.
After the War of 1812, George Hamilton initiated development of the area. The city derives its name from him.
Hamilton absorbed outlying towns from the former Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth in 2001. Together with Dundas, Flamborough, Stoney Creek, and Glanbrook, they form the “new” City of Hamilton.
What To Do in Hamilton
Points of Interest include the Royal Botanical Gardens, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Bruce Trail, McMaster University, Mohawk College and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
The Canadian Football League team at home in the city is The Hamilton Tiger Cats. Tim Horton Field, the Ti-Cats stadium will support the 2015 Pan American Games.
There is a growing arts and culture sector. The Hamilton Art Crawl is held monthly in the city. It is a reflection of the many art galleries that have set up shop along James and surrounding streets. Theatre Aquarius is a popular destination. Other popular destinations are the McMaster Museum of Art and the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Many TV and movie productions are filmed in the city.
Hamilton Harbour and the Niagara Escarpment are the two main geographic features. The Escarpment bisects Hamilton into upper and lower parts. There are over 100 waterfalls and cascades, mainly due to the Escarpment. Many of the waterfalls can be accessed by traversing the Bruce Trail.
Hamilton has been reputed to be the “Steel Capital of Canada.” However, the steel industry is in decline as a result of lower international demand for steel products. On the other hand, Hamilton is gaining a reputation for research and development in both industrial and medical fields. The McMaster Innovation Centre is one aspect of this newer reputation.
Besides neighbourhood shopping zones like Ottawa and Locke Streets, Centre Mall and Limeridge Mall provide many retail outlets.