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Toronto's Suburbs
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In 1998, “Toronto the Good” became Toronto the Megacity, as six of the muncipalities
that made up the Greater Toronto Area were amalgamated–Metro Toronto, Etobicoke,
York, North York, East York and Scarbourgh. Many citizens of the areas were
adamantly opposed and protested the merging. But if the residue of a lost neighbourhood
has lingered with some, it is certainly lessened by the pride of knowing that
Toronto is now the fifth largest city in North America, with a larger population
than most provinces and territories in Canada. When visiting or living in Toronto,
it is advantegeous to become aquainted with the original districts, as they
are still often referred to in addesses and by the general public.
Metropolitan Toronto
Metro Toronto, often mentioned as Central Toronto, is the nucleus of the city
and is the most frequented area of Toronto, as it contains such noteworthy districts
as the Financial District (Bay Street), the Fashion District, Harbourfront,
Cabbagetown and Beaches district. The subway and transit system keeps these
distinct areas well connected.
Etobicoke
To the west of Metro Toronto is Etobicoke (pronounced a-TOE-ba-coe). This district
is bordered by Lake Ontario to the south, the Humber River to the east, Mississauga
to the west, and Woodbridge, which is part of the city of Vaughan, to the north.
Members of the community pride themselves on their numerous green spaces and
uncongested residental areas.
York
North of Metro Toronto is York. York was divided several times, resulting in
two other communities, North York which begins around Eglington Avenue and extends
up to Steeles Ave, and East York, which is located in a pocket between downtown
and Scarbourgh, which makes up the most eastern portion of Toronto. York contains
some distinct communities, such as the affluent Baby Point, an area that may
be one of the first gated communities in Toronto, as well as the Old Mill district,
located along the Humber River. Old Mill contains portions of the historic 200-year-old
King's Mill, which are now a part of the Old Mill Inn, a popular wedding spot.
North York
North York was formed in the 1920s, and was initially a collection of villages.
Today it is a medley of residences, condos and businesses. This is largely due
to the economic pushing by North York’s past Mayor Mel Lastman, who went on
to be the outspoken mayor of the new conglomeration of Toronto. Two of the largest
shopping malls in Ontario are found in North York (Yorkdale Shopping Centre
and Fairview Mall), as well as two must-see attractions–the Ontario Science
Centre and Black Creek Pioneer Village.
East York
The borough of East York began as a planned community featuring industrial
as well as residental neighbourhoods in 1923. Over the years, East York’s close
proximity to downtown and affordable real estate has attracted waves of diverse
residents, including seniors, veterans, students and, within the last 30 years,
immigrants from around the globe who make East York’s Thorncliffe Park their
first Canadian postal address.
Scarborough
Scarborough makes up Toronto's eastern border, stretching from Victoria Park
Avenue to the Rouge River. Elizabeth Simcoe, wife of the first lieutenenat governor
of Upper Canada John Graves Simcoe, marvelled at the resemblance the bluffs
that fringe Lake Ontario had with the ones in Scarborough, England. Thus the
name evolved. A large portion of the population of Scarborough are immigrants
from the last two decades, adding to the multicultural mix of Toronto. Metro
Toronto residents tend to poke fun at their Scarborough neighbours about a lack
of sophistication. But Scarberians definitely have a sense of humour about it,
evident by the area’s witty offsprings Mike Myers, John Candy and
the Barenaked Ladies.
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