Sault Ste Marie

Introduction

Roberta Bondar Pavilion on waterfront

Before the arrival of the Europeans in the early 17th century, this area was inhabited by Algonquins who called it Bawating ("place of the rapids"). They valued the area for its control of the Great Lakes water routes and for its abundant whitefish and maple sugar. French settlers named the area "Sault Ste Marie", which translates to "Rapids of Saint Mary".

Smelters of Algoma Steel with heaps of iron ore

The primary industry of the town is Algoma Steel. Although it is the second biggest producer of steel in Canada, it is currently under bankruptcy protection, with a debt of half a billion dollars.

Bears fishing on waterfront