Centred around Canada's ninth largest (and Ontario's third largest) city, the Hamilton region was historically known for steel production and heavy industry.  While the city's main industry is now the service and health sciences sectors, the many parks, trails and conservation areas are still a pleasant surprise to many visitors.

The region boasts a wide variety of cultural and historical attractions, such as Dundurn Castle, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and the famous Royal Botanical Gardens, with more than 980 hectares of gardens and protected natural sanctuaries.