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Thunder Bay (2001 population 125,000) is a city at the head of Lake Superior in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Its port forms an important link in the shipping of grain and other products from western Canada through the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway to the east coast. It's located at 48n23, 89w15. Time zone EST.

The city was formed in 1970 by the merger of the smaller cities of Fort William and Port Arthur. Fort William, originally the French Fort Caministogoyan, was the hub of the North West Company's fur trading business in the early 19th century. Port Arthur, a few miles to the north, was first settled in 1870 as the head of construction of the Dawson Road connecting Ontario with Western Canada.

Forestry and manufacturing are the largest industries in Thunder Bay, with Bowater Forest Products and Bombardier Transportation maintaining large operations there.

Thunder Bay is home to two institutions of higher learning: Lakehead University and Confederation College.

Thunder Bay's main tourist attraction is Fort William Historical Park, built in 1973 as a reconstruction of the Fort William fur trade post. Thunder Bay also has other tourist attractions including Kakabeka Falls, Friendship Gardens, Mount McKay Lookout, Ouimet Canyon, Thunder Bay Historical Museum and The Marina. The Marina includes an along the lake walk, playground, Stanton Harbourview Cruises, A children's museum, ice cream shop and Chinese/Canadian cuisine. It also has a beautiful harbour full of local boats and other water craft.

The city overlooks the Sleeping Giant, a large formation of mesas on a peninsula in Lake Superior that resemble its name when viewed from the city. It has become a symbol of the city.

Thunder Bay also has some very unique restaurants. The Hoito, a world famous Finnish restaurant is well-known for there plate size finnish pancakes along with other Finnish foods. The Persian Man, is a locally owned Coffee shop in which they sell Persians which are somewhat like a large cinnamin bunn covered in mouth watering strawberry icing. You can only found persians in Thunder Bay.

The Fort William Gardens is a recreational centre mainly for Ice Hockey, Curling, and Concerts. It seats just under 5000 people and has hosted many events since its 1939 creation. The Thunder Bay Community Auditoriam has been recongized as one of the finest auditoriam's in North America seating 1500 people and holding various types of entertainment.

In 1981, Thunder Bay hosted the Canada Games. In 1995, Thunder Bay hosted the World Nordic Ski Championships.

Media outlets in Thunder Bay include Thunder Bay Television (CKPR 2/5 and CHFD 4/6) and Shaw Cable 10; CBQ 88.3 FM, Rock 94, Magic 99.9, Hot 105, and 580 CKPR; The Chronicle-Journal and Thunder Bay's Source; and Thunder Bay Independent Media Center.

Famous people

• Lyn McLeod
• Paul Shaffer
• Greg Johnson
• Taylor Pyatt
• Steve Rucchin

See also

• List of mayors of Thunder Bay, Ontario
• List of communities in Ontario
• Northern Ontario

Places of Interest

• Centennial Park
• Chippewa Amusement Park and Zoo
• Fort William Historical Park
• Intercity Shopping Centre
• Kakabeka Falls
• Loch Lomand Ski Resort
• Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
• Ouimet Canyon
• The Hoito
• The Persian Man
• Thunder Bay Art Gallery
• Thunder Bay Historical Museum
• Thunder Bay Marina
• Wild Goose Beach

Workforce

Unemployment in Northwestern Ontario is high, with the delining population and less and less jobs, with little funding from the government you can understand why. The main employment in Thunder Bay are of Bowater, Bombardier and the new Health/Sciences Centre. Other major jobs in Thunder Bay include Lakehead University, Confederation College, the Grain Elevators, and City jobs. Thunder Bay has desperately tried to have a multi diverse workforce however Thunder Bay is still mainly a Forestry/Grain/Tourism city.

Transportation

Thunder Bay, is the largest city in Northwestern Ontario, therefore everyone from the area comes to Thunder Bay for their travel needs. Over a decade ago Thunder Bay had a running train station however due to lack of passengers it closed and is now the building which holds The Ice Cream Parlour, Gift Shop, and Founders Museum at Marina Park. Thunder Bay does have however, an International airport called Thunder Bay International Airport and they have Greyhound busing to link you to other cities. As for getting around the city, Thunder Bay has its own city busing to get you around town.

Sports Teams

Thunder Bay is currently home to the following sports teams:

• Lakehead University Thunderwolves (Hockey/OUA)
• Lakehead University Thunderwolves (Basketball/OUA)
• Lakehead University Thunderwolves (Volleyball/OUA)
• Thunder Bay Bordercats (Baseball/Northwoods League)

External links

• City of Thunder Bay Official Website
• Thunder Bay International Airports Authority
• Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal Newspaper
• Thunder Bay Internet Directory
• Thunder Bay's Source
• Thunder Bay Independent Media Center

• Ontario communities