Mississauga, Ontario, a city with a rich history and a vibrant present, is a must-visit destination for tourists and history enthusiasts alike. This Canadian city, located on the western shore of Lake Ontario, is the third-most populous in Ontario and the seventh-most populous in Canada.
The name "Mississauga" originates from the Anishinaabe word Misi-zaagiing, which translates to "[Those at the] Great River-mouth". The city is also commonly referred to as Sauga, and its residents are known as Saugans or Mississaugans.
Mississauga, Ontario, was historically known as Toronto Township. It was founded in 1805 as part of York County and later became part of Peel County in 1851 when new counties were formed. The city was established in 1968 and reincorporated as a city in 1974.
The area now known as Mississauga has been home to Indigenous people for thousands of years. It is situated on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinaabeg people, including the Mississaugas.
The Ontario Ministry of Culture has registered a single site in Mississauga with Hi-Lo projectile points, indicating the presence of Indigenous people during this period.
During this period, the population in the area grew, with 23 known Archaic sites in Mississauga, mostly in the Credit River and Cooksville Creek drainage systems.
The population continued to increase during the Woodland period, with the first semi-permanent villages appearing near the end of this period.
The end of the Woodland period saw the arrival of the Haudenosaunee, another Iroquoian confederacy, and the Europeans. The European traders would gather annually at the mouth of what is now known as the Credit River to give the Anishinaabe credit for the following year.
In the 1920s, cottages were constructed along the shores of Lake Ontario as weekend getaway houses for city dwellers. In 1937, land was sold to build Malton Airport, which later became Canada's busiest airport. The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) highway, one of the first controlled-access highways in the world, opened in 1935. The first prototypical suburban developments occurred around the same time, in the area south of the Dixie Road/QEW interchange.
Mississauga covers 288.42 square kilometres of land, fronting 13 kilometres of shoreline on Lake Ontario. It is bounded by Oakville and Milton to the west/southwest, Brampton to the north, Toronto to the east, and Lake Ontario to the south/south-east. Two major river valleys, the Credit River and the Etobicoke Creek, feed into the lake.
Mississauga is home to 24 neighbourhoods, including Applewood, Central Erin Mills, Churchill Meadows, Clarkson, Cooksville, Creditview, East Credit, Erin Mills, Erindale, Fairview, Hurontario, Lakeview, Lisgar, Lorne Park, Malton, Meadowvale, Meadowvale Village, Mineola, Mississauga Valleys, Port Credit, Rathwood, Rockwood Village, Sheridan, and Streetsville.
Mississauga's climate is similar to that of Toronto and is considered to be moderate. Summers can bring periods of high temperatures accompanied with high humidity, while winters can be cold with temperatures that are frequently below freezing.
Mississauga has a vibrant arts community, promoted by the Mississauga Arts Council. The city hosts an annual awards ceremony, the MARTYs, to celebrate the city's entertainers, artists, filmmakers, writers, and musicians. The city also hosts numerous cultural festivals throughout the year, including Carassauga, a festival of cultures that is the second largest cultural festival in Canada.
Mississauga is home to the second largest shopping mall in Canada, Square One Shopping Centre, and numerous other shopping centres. The city also boasts over 481 parks and woodlands areas, with nearly 100 km of trails. Recreational clubs include the Mississauga Figure Skating Club, Mississauga Synchronized Swimming Association, Mississauga Canoe Club, and more.
Mississauga has one sister city, Kariya, Aichi, Japan. Both cities have a park and road named after each other, symbolizing their strong bond.
Mississauga, Ontario, with its rich history, diverse culture, and modern amenities, offers a unique blend of the past and the present. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or a shopping enthusiast, Mississauga has something for everyone.
