The climate in
the Windsor area lends itself to a vibrant and picturesque environment. The
natural beauty is enhanced by the city being bordered by water on three sides.
Having the most southerly location in Canada (Windsor is similar to Madrid, Spain in latitude) doesn’t hurt either. Convenient access draws in approximately
9 million visitors annually, making Windsor the country’s busiest port. Much of
the nearly $1 billion dollars generated through trade and tourism comes in the
form of US dollars through Michigan,
Ontario’s largest trading partner. Its unique location on the southwestern tip
of Ontario puts 100 million Canadian and American citizens >within
800 kilometres (500 miles) of city limits.
History:
Growing out of a
small Jesuit Mission, Windsor was officially founded in 1748. Originally a
French settlement, Windsor grew in steady unison with the city of Detroit, MI
on the opposite bank of the river. These French roots can still be seen in the
pattern of roads and streets in the downtown area. The settlement grew slowly
and remained under French control until 1797, when an increasing number of
British loyalists began moving in, seeking to remain under British rule and
avoid the political changes of post civil war America.
The town of
Windsor would change further with the arrival of Great Western Railway in 1854,
in what is now Downtown Windsor. This move ensured commercial success for years
to come, connecting the township with the larger centres in the north.
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Assembly Line |
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In 1904, the Ford
Motor Company set up shop in Windsor, beginning what would become the area’s
most prominent industry. So big was the automotive industry that during the
First World War the growing industrial complex was actually known as Ford
City. By 1930, the industry had become so influential that Windsor had grown
to include the smaller surrounding communities into a city of 100,000 people.
The Second World War led to further increase in both industrial production
and growth of the city.
Today the city
of Windsor is still primarily a manufacturing based economy, remaining a forerunner
in automotive engineering. The Windsor region is also eastern Canada’s largest
agricultural business community. This, combined with an ideal location and
more than 800 companies in the Windsor area, secured an impressive 40% of
the Canada-USA trade market,
generating an exchange of $400 million
dollars daily between the two countries.
Climate:
Being surrounded
by Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River has created a temperate
climate, with annual average temperatures between the mid teens to high 20s
Celsius (mid 50s to low 80s Fahrenheit) in the summer months. Winter
temperatures are mild, between -5 and 2 Celsius (low 20s to mid 30s Fahrenheit)
but the higher humidity from its waterfront location often creates the
sensation of a deeper, penetrating cold.
Rain is common but
rarely heavy. Rainfall averages around 9 cm (3 inches) in the summer months,
varying only slightly throughout the year.
Transportation:
Passage to
Windsor comes in many forms. The 401 Highway runs directly to the heart of
Windsor, connecting the southern tip of Ontario to London
and Toronto.
The
Ambassador Bridge joins Windsor and Detroit above land. The idea for a
motorway spanning the Detroit River came to light in the early years following
World War I, but the bridge would not get built for almost 10 years, and at a
cost of $23.5 million US dollars. When completed in 1929, the 2804-meter (9,200
foot) masterpiece of engineering was the longest suspension bridge in the
world.
A fun alternative
to the Ambassador Bridge is the Detroit-Windsor
Tunnel. At 22.8 meters (75 feet) beneath the river
and nearly 1,600 meters (almost a mile) long, the tunnel is the fastest
connection between the cities of Windsor and Detroit. The tunnel
connects to the 401 via Ouellette Ave. for getting around the Windsor area.
The Windsor
Airport is designed for charter and commuter flights. While smaller
than many international airports, is quite capable of handling flights and
aircraft of all sizes. Shuttle, taxi and car rental service are available.
VIA
Rail has a scenic
train station close to the river and connects Windsor with the rest of Canada
through the Quebec / Windsor Corridor. Trains
make regular trips to Toronto, as well as to Chicago Il, with stops between.
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Sunset
Over Lake Erie |
Getting around
the city is fairly easy as the public transportation system is easily accessible
from anywhere in the city. Transit Windsor operates both within the city and
between the city center and downtown Detroit through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel,
with stops at casinos on both borders.
Attractions:
Because of its
waterfront location, the city of Windsor has developed a taste for water sport.
It is not uncommon to find residents enjoying the summer weather with their
boats and water skis, swimming at the beaches of Pelee
Island, or even taking in a boat
tour along the banks of the Detroit River.
The
Charlie
Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain, a popular summer attraction, is a
floating fountain on the Detroit River. In fact, the fountain is one of North
America’s largest and offers a variety of water “shows” daily, pumping 12,000
gallons of water into the air every minute.
There is also the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, a two-lane
roadway 23 meters (75 feet) below the surface of the Detroit River. Considered a great feat of engineering,
the tunnel opened in November of 1930 at a total cost of $23,000,000. Be
forewarned that the tunnel is the second busiest route between Canada and the
US, and has toll and customs inspection booths at either end.
Of course, there
is a variety of restaurants,
clubs and bars to choose from, offering everything from a relaxed atmosphere to
live music and comedy.
Accommodation:
Lodgings abound in the Windsor area, and range
from the budget minded to first class and even a restored Victorian Inn. Most
of these can be found in the downtown area, which keeps visitors close to the
Cleary International Center, casinos,
superb dining, the many parks
along the banks of the beautiful Detroit river and, of course, many attractions
unique
to Windsor.
Although there
are no hostels in Windsor, there is one fairly close across the river in
Detroit, MI.
