The
Niagara Escarpment begins south of Rochester, New York and extends
westward parallel to and south of the shores of Lake Ontario.
It crosses into Canada at Queenston, Ontario in the Niagara Peninsula,
where it is breached by the Niagara River.
The Niagara River began eroding out
the 11 kilometre Gorge between the edge of the Escarpment and
Niagara Falls about 12,000 years ago, thus exposing the bedrock.
These rocks are about four hundred million years old.
The Niagara Escarpment is a cuesta;
in Ontario it winds its way northward through farmland and urban
areas. In this long-settled part of the province, where intensive
agriculture and burgeoning urban development leave little room
for nature, the Escarpments protected forests, talus slopes
and cliff faces are particularly important, both as a nearby retreat
for residents and as wildlife habitat.
The forests in the Niagara region are
some of the most beautiful anywhere along the
Escarpments length. This is the Carolinian vegetation zone,
where tulip trees, sassafras, black cherry, paw paw and shagbark
hickory are scattered throughout the forests. Black Cherry dominates,
rising tall and straight to a lush canopy high overhead. Some
are more than a metre in diameter.
The Niagara Region is
one of Canadas prime agricultural areas. Rich mineral soils
and the moderating effects of Lakes Erie and Ontario are two factors
contributing to the excellent growing conditions. The Escarpment
also creates a microclimate that allows the growing of tender
fruit such as apricots, peaches and premium wine grapes. Lake
Ontario and the Escarpment work together to create an air flow
heat pump that optimizes growing conditions throughout
the spring, summer and fall.
Niagara Region's tourism opportunities range from world-class theatre of the Shaw Festival to exceptional culinary and wine route destinations.