NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE

also called Niagara, town, regional municipality of Niagara, southeastern Ontario, Canada. It lies on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, at the mouth of the Niagara River, 22 miles (35 km) below the falls. The town was established in 1792, when it was chosen as the first capital of Upper Canada and named Newark by Lieutenant Governor John G. Simcoe. Because of the town's location opposite a U.S. arsenal, the capital was moved to Toronto in 1796, and Newark's name was subsequently changed to Niagara-on-the-Lake. The town is a summer resort and a centre of a fruit-growing region. Industries include canning, yacht building, and basket weaving. Fort George, which was built in the late 1790s and played an important role in the War of 1812, and Navy Hall are popular tourist attractions. Pop. (1991) 12,945.