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Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (City)




Canada is a country in the northern half of North America. Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan is a city on the St. Mary's River in Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Greater Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,566 in 2001. Sault Ste. Marie is bordered to the east by the Rankin Location and Garden River First Nation reserves, and to the west by Prince Township. To the north, the city is bordered by an unincorporated portion of the Algoma District, with Heyden as the nearest community. To the south, across the river, is the United States and the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
 
The city name originates from Saults de Sainte-Marie, Old French for Saint Mary's fall, and a reference to the rapids in the Saint Mary's River. Etymologically, the word Sault comes from an archaic spelling of saut, the French word for leap or jump, although there are citations dating back to 1600 for the use of the Sault spelling to mean a waterfall or rapids. This area was originally called Baawitigong, meaning place of the rapids, by the Ojibwa, who used the site as a regional meeting place during whitefish season in the St. Mary's Rapids. After the visit of Étienne Brule in 1623, the French called it Sault de Gaston in honour of Gaston, Duke of Orleans, and the brother of King Louis XIII of France. In 1668, French Jesuit missionaries renamed it Sault Sainte Marie and established a settlement that is now Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on the river's south bank. Sault Ste. Marie was incorporated as a town in 1887 and a city in 1912.
 
Sault Ste. Marie hosts the annual Algoma Fall Festival which draws local and international performing artists, as well as an annual street performer festival, Buskerfest, now in its third year. Prominent venues in the city, including The Kiwanis Community Theatre and the landmark Central United Church are used for the performances. Both venues hold approximately 1,000 people. A city known for its historic myths and traditions, scenic beauty, cooperative people and luxurious hotels and cottages, Sault Ste. Marie is one of the favorite holiday destinations for most of the vacation lovers.
 
Today, one can also learn about its history, from its earliest times and gain enthusiasm in its natural beauty and populace. Sault Ste. Marie enjoys a very positive reputation with worldwide travelers.

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