Windsor, Ontario (original) (raw)

Windsor, the southernmost major city in Canada, is located in Essex County, Ontario. It is close to Lake St Clair, and to Detroit, over the border in Michigan, USA. The population of Windsor is over 208,000, with a metropolitan area population of over 307,000. Windsor's motto is "The river and the land sustain us." Interestingly enough, it is the only point along Canada's southern border where crossing to the United States involves heading north.

Windsor's nickname is the "City of Roses", and it has several large parks on the waterfront, extending uninterrupted from the Ambassador Bridge to Hiram Walker's Canadian Club plant. Of particular mention are the gardens at Jackson Park, where an actual Lancaster Bomber is mounted on a concrete pedestal.

Windsor industries include DaimlerChrysler's minivan plant, Ford Motor Company's engine plant and Hiram Walker's Canadian Club plant. Windsor tourist attractions include Casino Windsor, a lively downtown, the Odette Sculpture Park and nearby Point Pelee National Park. Windsor was a major entry point into Canada for refugees from slavery via the Underground Railroad.

Windsor is linked to the United States by the Ambassador Bridge, the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, and the CPR Rail Tunnel. The Ambassador bridge is North America's #1 international border crossing. 27% of all trade between Canada and the United States crosses the Ambassador Bridge.

Every summer Windsor participates in the 2-week long Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival that culminates in a gigantic fireworks display that celebrates Canada Day and the 4th of July. The fireworks display is on the Wednesday before Canada Day.

Labour union membership is very high in Windsor, and both of the city's current federal Members of Parliament are members of the New Democratic Party.