Located within the boundaries of Southern Ontario between the Georgian Bay and the eastern end of Lake Ontario much of this region is covered by farms, small bodies of water (including fresh water beaches) and sparsely populated forests bordering the Canadian shield to the North.

By the 17th century French colonialist settled in the Georgian Bay region near Lake Simcoe, forging relations with Huron people. To the South were the Petun and Neutral Nation and the Algonquin in the North with the Mississauga settling in the Kawartha region.

Following France’s defeat in the Seven Years’ War, British control of Southern and Central Ontario led to greater colonization which further increased during the American Revolution.

Geographically, The Parry Sound and Muskoka regions are part of Central Ontario however are considered part of Northern Ontario by the federal government.

The southern portion is the most densely populated due to its proximity to the GTA. Barrie, Peterborough and Belleville are the major regional centres for central Ontario. The suburb push north has benefitted Barrie’s population growth and Peterborough from its economic ties to the GTA. Both regions benefit from their location in the Golden Horseshoe as well.