North York

North York forms the central part of the northern half of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It has a population of around 630,000.

Until 1998, North York was one of six municipalities that comprised another larger municipal structure called Metropolitan Toronto. That year, the provincial Government of Ontario passed legislation to force these municipalities to merge into a single, new amalgamated City of Toronto.

The Township of North York was formed out of the rural part of the Township of York. The rapidly-urbanizing parts of the Township remained in that township. As North York itself became more urbanized, it became the Borough of North York, and then, the City of North York. To commemorate receiving its city charter on St. Valentine's Day, the city's corporate slogan was "The City with Heart". It now forms the largest part of the area served by the "North York Community Council", a committee of Toronto City Council.

Originally, North York was known as a regional agricultural hub comprised of scattered villages. The area boomed following World War II, and by the 1950s and '60s, it resembled many other sprawling North American suburbs. Of note is the community of Don Mills.

While much of the area still retains its mostly suburban nature, efforts led by former Mayor of North York and Toronto Mel Lastman were made to intensify development along Yonge Street between Finch and Sheppard Avenues, coinciding with the path of the Toronto Transit Commission's Yonge-University Spadina subway line.

There are many stores and high-rise office and condominium apartment buildings along this central North York corridor, particularly centred around the old North York City Hall. Directly beside the old City Hall is the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Thanks to a new subway line along Sheppard Avenue, more high-rise condominiums are being built along the Sheppard East Corridor.

The central area is gradually ceasing to be suburban, resembling a smaller version of the city's downtown. World-renowned corporations have built their own office towers along Yonge Street in central North York, including the Canadian head offices of Procter & Gamble, Nestlé and Xerox. McDonald's of Canada is also located in North York, although not along this corridor. This particular area is the region in the foreground of this photograph. [1] Note the absence of the five high-rise condominiums that where built after the picture was taken.

The section of Highway 401 which traverses North York is the busiest section of freeway in North America, exceeding 400,000 vehicles per day. Driving time to the United States via Niagara Falls is approximately 90 minutes.

In the 1980s the administration of Mel Lastman transformed North York into an amazing metropolis. It remains a model of urban planning and architecture. The former North York City Hall looks out upon a reflecting pool (much like that in Washington D.C.). Directly south of the city hall in the same complex is the board of education. And to the north in the complex there exists a large mall with subway access. The mall is connected to the North York reference library, the second largest in Toronto. The library is a part of a much larger facility including a school board work station, swimming pool, snack bar, veterans center and large hotel, the rooms of which look onto the inside of the mall. North York was a city built for commerce and had it been able to live out its creed, would likely have surpassed Toronto proper economically.

North York is the northern extent of the Carolinian forest zone.

Two of the largest malls in Ontario, the Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Fairview Mall, are located here, along with the smaller Don Mills Centre. It is also home to York University and Osgoode Hall Law School.

Major health-care facilities, such as North York General Hospital, Humber River Regional Hospital (Finch Avenue Site) and the massive Sunnybrook complex which includes a veterans' residence and regional trauma center are located here.

A military base and aircraft manufacturing facility is located at Downsview, although with the end of the Cold War, much of the land is now being transformed into a park.

Black Creek Pioneer Village, an authentic nineteenth-century village, and the Ontario Science Centre, which boasts over 800 science-oriented exhibits, are North York's primary attractions.

Along North York's Bathurst Street is one of the world's most important Jewish communities, with a significant population of Holocaust survivors.

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