The beautiful city of Burlington is located on the shore of Lake Ontario, with the majestic cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment as a backdrop. Our newly redeveloped waterfront area offers you a weather observatory (Discovery Landing), a restaurant located on the shore of the lake and a welcoming pool miniature boats in summer and skaters in winter. It is possible to see this park unique in any season thanks to a live webcam on www.burlington.ca. Among the many festivities and events taking place throughout the year, include Fine Art & Craft Festival, Road Races, Doors Open, Sound Festival of Music, Canada Day, Joseph Brant Day Festival, the Children's Festival, the Canada's Largest Ribfest, Festival of Lights and New Year's celebrations. Downtown offers a variety of dining and shopping options, including several offering spectacular views of the lake. Golf lovers will enjoy the fantastic panoramic courses of the region. The parks and trails are ideal for cycling, jogging and walking. all-season walk, without forgetting the Royal Botanical Gardens, an attraction ideal for short-stay holidaymakers, tourists of international reputation and organized groups and business meetings. Burlington is home to a brand new arts centre with a passion for the arts history museums and an art gallery of the highest quality. Families can entertain themselves at low cost by following a scenic route and by stopping at one of the many local tourist attractions, such as the Royal Botanical Gardens, Waterfront, Art Centre, Museums, Park Bronte Creek and Halton Conservation Areas. Thanks to its many fun, picturesque and affordable attractions, Burlington is the ideal destination for everyone, as a family or alone. The City of Burlington has many sights to see. Tourists will mainly visit the Burlington Art Center, Joseph Brant Museum, Oakridge Farm Ireland House, Halton Regional Museum, and Streetcar and Electric Railway Museum. Other sites include Spencer's Smith Park, Bonte Creek Provincial Park, Kerncliff Park, Lowville Park, Lasalle Park, downtown Burlington, waterfront, Royal Botanical Gardens, The Central Park Labyrinth, Mount Nemo, Paletta Park and Manor, Magnetic Hill, Skyway Bridge, Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, St Luke's Cemetery and St John's Cemetery will also attract visitors. Britain gave part of its territory to Indian Chief Joseph Brant in 1784 as a reward for his loyalty in battle, marking the beginning of the growth of the city then known as Burlington Bay. Between 1820 and 1850, the region's main economic activity was the pine and oak trade. Burlington, another village, expanded in size with the addition of Wellington Square and Port Nelson in 1874. The first rail line linking Burlington to nearby Hamilton was opened in 1906. Burlington officially became a city in 1915. Burlington's population grew by 9% from 2001 to 2006, while the national average is 5.6%.