North Bay

City and seat of Nipissing District, in east-central Ontario; population (1991) 55,400. The city lies on the northeastern shore of Lake Nipissing, 310 km/190 mi west-northwest of Ottawa and 290 km/180 mi north of Toronto.

North Bay grew up on the site of a railway marshalling yard that was built here in 1882 for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and soon became an important distribution centre. It is now the southern terminus and headquarters of the Ontario Northland Railway and a depot on two transcontinental lines. The city is also served by the Trans-Canada Highway and other major roads.

The processing and marketing of fur have been important here since the late 17th century, when the native Nipissing began to trade with French merchants along the river and portage routes running between the Ottawa River and Georgian Bay. North Bay now turns out wood, dairy goods, mining machinery, and printed matter, and contains large wholesale and retail outlets. Recent developments in industry have been in information technology and computers and in telephone call centres. It also serves as a regional centre for outdoor activities and tourism, which is of increasing importance; within the city, the museum and home of the celebrated Dionne quintuplets (b.1934) attract visitors. Near to the city lie a military air base and Canada's first missile installation. North Bay is the seat of Nipissing University (founded in 1967).