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The Niagara Peninsula is a strip of land in southwest Ontario between Lakes Ontario and Erie. The peninsula has two distinct regions. On the north, spreading back from Lake Ontario, is a level, fertile area with a mild climate, called the Ontario Plain. Many fruit farms and vineyards are located here. The NIAGARA ESCARPMENT is a steep, wooded ridge that runs along the middle of the peninsula. Another level plain, the Erie Plain, spreads south from the top of the escarpment to the shores of Lake Erie. It is less fertile than the plain to the north. The eastern edge of the peninsula is the NIAGARA RIVER. Before Europeans arrived, the area was home to the NEUTRAL, who farmed here. Their culture was destroyed because they were stuck in the middle of two warring factions, the IROQUOIS and the HURON. In the mid-1600s, the Neutral were pushed out of the area by the Iroquois. The Iroquois did not stay long because they grew weak from sickness brought over by Europeans and from warfare. They returned to their homeland east of the Niagara River. For 100 years the area was unoccupied until LOYALISTS arrived in the 1780s. For a short time, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE was the capital of Upper Canada (present-day Ontario). The WELLAND CANAL, which crosses the peninsula, was opened in 1829 and towns grew up along its route. Hydroelectric plants on the canal, and at NIAGARA FALLS, provided power that led to the growth of many industries. In 1939 a major highway, the Queen Elizabeth Way was opened, linking the peninsula with the Toronto area. ST CATHARINES is the main business centre, but NIAGARA FALLS, WELLAND, FORT ERIE, PORT COLBORNE, and THOROLD are also important communities. The Niagara River is also the border with the United States. Throughout Canada's history, this has been one of the routes taken by invading American armies, and soldiers were stationed at forts along the river. During the WAR OF 1812, American invaders were turned back at the Battle of QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. Then, in 1866, FENIAN raiders attacked across the Niagara border. Today, the peninsula is peaceful and prosperous with a population of over 400 000 people. It is the centre of Ontario's fruit-growing industry, and is Canada's main GRAPE-growing area. Tourism is also important, centering on the spectacular Niagara Falls, the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and winery tours.
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