London, Ontario, a city nestled in southwestern Canada, is a vibrant hub of history, culture, and natural beauty. With a population of 422,324 according to the 2021 Canadian census, London is the largest southwestern Ontario municipality and Canada's 11th largest metropolitan area. The city is located at the confluence of the Thames River, approximately 200 km from both Toronto and Detroit, and about 230 km from Buffalo, New York.
London, Ontario, was named in 1793 by John Graves Simcoe, who intended for it to be the capital of Upper Canada. He also named the local river the Thames, drawing inspiration from the British capital. However, after the War of 1812, Guy Carleton (Governor Dorchester) rejected this plan, instead choosing the present site of Toronto to become the capital city of what would become the Province of Ontario, at Confederation, on 1 July 1867.
The history of London, Ontario, is rich and diverse, with archaeological sites indicating the presence of Paleo-Indians in the area dating back approximately 11,000 years. Prior to European settlement, the London area was home to several Attawandaron, Odawa, and Ojibwe villages. The first European settlement was established between 1801 and 1804 by Peter Hagerman, and the village
