Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie ("Sault" pronounced "soo;" nicknamed "the Sault;" 2001 population 78,908) is a city on the St. Mary's River in northern Ontario, Canada. Across the river is the United States and the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

The town got its name in 1669 when French Jesuit missionaries came across the site. "Sault Ste. Marie" is French for "St. Mary's Rapids". Sault Ste. Marie was incorporated as a town in 1887 and a city in 1912.

The city made a name for itself in steel-making, and Algoma Steel is still the largest employer. Forestry is also a major local industry. The city is the site of the Sault locks which let ships travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes.

Famous natives of Sault Ste. Marie include hockey great Phil Esposito and astronaut Roberta Bondar.

External Link: SooToday.com