Toronto ’s history spans 11,000 years. The first inhabitants arrived shortly after the Ice Age ended. The area remained remote and unknown until the French established Fort Torontoas a trading post in 1720. When French rule ended with the 1763 Treaty of Paris, the British took control of the area. In1787, British Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada John Simcoe officially purchased the area from the native Mississaugas, moved the capital there and renamed the settlement York . For a time York grew steadily in spite of numerous skirmishes with the Americans. Following the War of 1812, expansion continued and the population grew and in 1834 the province was incorporated as the city of Toronto . The next two decades brought rebellions, cholera and thyphus epidemics and the economy suffered.

The first glimpse of modern Toronto came in 1853 with the arrival of railroads, gas lighting, piped water and residential and commercial construction. The early 1900s and the industrial revolution brought a wave of new immigrants from Eastern Europe and and Toronto became a cultural and intellectual center. World War I put Toronto in the center of aviation, factories and shipyard production in . Toronto also rallied to the call in World War II sending thousands to fight in Europe and manufacturing bombers and Bren guns. After the war, Toronto continued its steady march of progress and in the 1970’s was recognized as the fastest growing city in North America . Today, Toronto is the 5th largest city in North America, the 3rd largest Stock Exchange in North America and it ranks closely behind Hollywood in TV and film production. Toronto is proud its diversity, sophistication and imagination. Visitors to Toronto reap the benefits.