To view a larger image and read the caption, click on a photo then click the "NEXT" or PREVIOUS" buttons in the top right hand corner to scroll through each picture manually. To view a slideshow of all the photos in the gallery click "SLIDESHOW" in the top right hand corner.

I will be using this gallery to post various pictures of the Niagara Region.

A History of the Niagara Region

The Regional Municipality of Niagara was created by an Act of the Ontario Legislature on January 1, 1969. It is located in the Province of Ontario, CANADA between the southern tip of Lake Ontario, and the northern tip of Lake Erie, adjacent to the Niagara River and New York State. It is home to approximately 425,000 residents, living within an 1,830 square kilometre area. An estimated 15 - 20 million visitors visit the Niagara area annually.


The Regional Municipality of Niagara includes three medium density cities: St. Catharines Niagara Falls, and Welland, and five medium density towns: Grimsby, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Thorold and Niagara-on-the-Lake, in addition to the Towns of Lincoln, West Lincoln, Pelham and Wainfleet. The Region includes world renowned tourist attractions such as "THE FALLS", the Welland Canal, and the Shaw Festival, to name a few. In 1996 Casino Niagara opened in Niagara Falls which attracted an estimated 9 million visitors to Niagara during its' first year of operation. Niagara is also one of Canada's richest agricultural areas, with the nation's major soft-fruit growing area located within the Region.

Niagara residents enjoy a relaxed way of life that includes a variety of sports, recreation, and nightlife opportunities. The pleasant climate makes for beautiful long summers and seasonal winters. The closeness of the Niagara River, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario makes water activities within easy reach, including swimming, wind surfing, water-skiing, sailing, and fishing .

Aside from the majestic falls, beautiful scenery abounds in Niagara. Families can enjoy numerous parks and nature trails, which are ideal for walking, picnicking, cycling and in-line skating.

Golfers will enjoy more than 20 public golf courses, within Niagara.

Sports fans will appreciate professional sporting events in Buffalo, Hamilton, and Toronto, all within an hour's drive from the city.

The Niagara Region, and the surrounding area, are also home to world class cultural activities and festivals. The Shaw Festival in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake offers live professional theatre featuring the plays of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. Just 15 minutes from the city, in Lewiston, New York, Artpark offers summer concerts and musical productions.

The Winter Festival of Lights, illuminates the Niagara Parkway with thousands of sparkling lights from November to January. More than 50 lighted stationary and moving displays make this annual event Canada's largest light festival.

For shoppers, Niagara has many speciality stores, quaint shops and a sizeable shopping centre. The Region boasts dozens of smaller malls that compliment the thousands of gift, heirloom, speciality and cottage shops.
Residents of Niagara also benefit from the City's proximity to several colleges and universities, including Niagara College, Brock University, and two American universities just minutes away.