The GTA - The greater Toronto Area

The Greater Toronto Area, or “GTA” as it’s commonly called, is a large and vibrant region of Ontario that includes the City of Toronto and the surrounding regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel, and York. In total, the GTA contains 25 urban, suburban, and rural municipalities. 

 The Greater Toronto Area is home to over 6.7 million people, making it one of the most populous metropolitan regions in North America.

The GTA is a great place to live, work, and play. The region offers a wide variety of housing options, from high-rise apartments in downtown Toronto to suburban detached homes in the surrounding municipalities. 

There are also plenty of job opportunities in the GTA, with a strong economy and a diverse range of industries. And, of course, there are plenty of things to do in the GTA. From the trendy shops and restaurants of downtown Toronto to the picturesque wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake, the GTA has something to offer everyone. 

So whether you’re looking for a fun weekend getaway or a place to call home, be sure to check out one of the many great municipalities in the GTA!

Toronto

Toronto is the largest city in the GTA and the capital of Ontario. It's a cosmopolitan city with a diverse population and is home to a number of world-renowned attractions.

Markham

Markham is a rapidly growing city in the northern part of the GTA. It's known for its high-tech industry and is a great place to live if you're looking for easy access to Toronto.

Photo By Roger Yip

Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill is a suburb of Toronto located in the central part of the GTA. It's a quiet community with a lot of green space and is perfect for families.

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Vaughan

Vaughan is a quiet city located in the heart of York Region, just north of Toronto. It's known for its shopping and is a great place to live if you're looking for convenience.

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Mississauga

Mississauga is the third-largest city in the GTA and is located on the western shore of Lake Ontario. It's a popular destination for shopping and dining and is also home to several cultural attractions.

Photo By Kevin Cabral

Brampton

Brampton is the ninth-largest city in the GTA and is known for its multiculturalism and array of historic sites. It's a great place to live if you're looking for a suburban community with all the amenities of a big city.

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Aurora

Aurora is a town located in the York Region of the GTA. It's a historic community with a vibrant downtown and is perfect for those who want to live in a smaller town.

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Newmarket

Newmarket is a town in the York Region of the GTA. It's known for its quaint charm and is a great place to live if you're looking for a more laid-back community.

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Oakville

Oakville is a smaller town located on the shores of Lake Ontario, west of Toronto. It's a popular destination for its many golf courses and recreational facilities and is also home to a number of businesses and cultural attractions.

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Burlington

Burlington is another smaller town located on the shores of Lake Ontario, west of Toronto. It's a popular destination for its many parks and trails, as well as its proximity to the Niagara Escarpment.

Photo By Andrew Lynes

Milton

Milton is a town located on the Niagara Escarpment, northwest of Burlington. It's known for its rural charm and is a great place to live if you're looking for a more laid-back lifestyle.

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Pickering

Pickering is a town located in the eastern part of the GTA. It's known for its beaches and is a great place to live if you're looking for easy access to Toronto.

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Ajax

Ajax is a town located in the eastern part of the GTA. It's known for its lakes and is a great place to live if you're looking for a more rural lifestyle.

Photo By Martin Morin

Oshawa

Oshawa is a city located in the eastern part of the GTA. It's known for its automotive industry and is a great place to live if you're looking for easy access to Toronto.

Photo By Frunze103

FAQs About the Greater Toronto Area

If you ask anyone on the street where they’re from, there’s a good chance they’ll say Toronto. What they might not realize, however, is that Toronto is actually made up of six different boroughs – Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, York, East York and Toronto. Beyond these borders, the Greater Toronto Area includes the cities of Mississauga and Brampton.

The Greater Toronto Area is a bustling metropolis made up of many different municipalities. In total, there are 25 incorporated municipalities in either York Region, Halton Region, Peel Region, Durham Region or Toronto. Each municipality has its own unique character and charm. 

For instance, the City of Toronto is home to the world-famous CN Tower and the Hockey Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, the Town of Oakville is known for its tranquil lakeside setting and upscale shops. Whether you’re looking for big-city excitement or small-town charm, you’re sure to find it in the Greater Toronto Area.

No, the municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area do not have their own police forces. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provides policing services to all of the municipalities in York Region, Halton Region, Peel Region and Durham Region. The Toronto Police Service is responsible for policing the City of Toronto.
No, Hamilton is not officially part of the Greater Toronto Area. However, it is considered a part of the Golden Horseshoe – a region that stretches from Niagara Falls to Oshawa – and many people include Hamilton when they’re referring to the Greater Toronto Area.
The population of the Greater Toronto Area was estimated to be 6,712,341 as of 2021.

There are a few different options for getting around the Greater Toronto Area, depending on your budget and where you’re going. The easiest way to get around is by car, and there’s an extensive network of highways and roads that connect the different cities and boroughs. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates buses, streetcars and subways within the city limits, and there are regional transit options that connect the Greater Toronto Area to the rest of the province.

Some of the most popular attractions in the Greater Toronto Area include the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario. There are also a number of professional sports teams in the Greater Toronto Area, including the Toronto Maple Leafs (hockey), the Toronto Raptors (basketball) and the Toronto Blue Jays (baseball).