Located on the shoreline of Lake Ontario, Oshawa is the largest community within the Regional Municipality of Durham. The name of Oshawa originates from the Ojibwa, that means "the crossing place." The are was initially a transfer point for the fur trade, a place where furs were loaded at the Oshawa harbor, and moved to the trading posts along the mouth of the Credit River.
The Oshawa trails offer its visitors and citizens a chance to see the beauty of Oshawa's parks, culture, and natural resources. Oshawa valleys and Harmony Creek have greeneries that are normally seen within Ontario's southern valleys. Ostrich Fern, Jack in the Pulpit and Horsetail are good places to discover native plants. Donevan Recreation Complex comprises public swimming, an indoor pool and arena for skating. Farewell Park gives the chance for everyone to play basketball together with friends, watch softball games during summer evenings, and play on the playground or have a picnic. McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve, which was operated and maintained by General Motors of Canada, has a number of walking trails which consist of Dogwood Trail meant to offer interpretive opportunities for the visually impaired. Lakeview Park is the venue for the Oshawa Community Museum's nineteen-century homes. The Canadian Automotive Museum features more than seventy vehicles in an authentic 1920's car dealership. The museum gives a first-hand look at tanks, military hardware, scout cars, photos, medals, certificates, letters and various military memorabilia from WWII.
Every month of June, the city hosts a week-long celebration called Oshawa Fiesta Week. This particular festival consists of fantastic parade, providing ethnic cuisine and cultural entertainment. This festive event is organized by the Oshawa Folk Arts Council, and it brings camaraderie and community pride to everybody. The Purple Woods Maple Festival, a 17-hectare sugar maple forest and open meadow is situated on the Oak Ridges Moraine. This festival occurs each and every month of March.
The city of Oshawa is the headquarters of General Motors Canada, an automotive maker. It has a friendly competition with another Canadian city, Windsor; because this is the home of Chrysler Canada. GM Canada is a main contributor to the capital investments and technological development of Oshawa city. The city even attracts the European immigrants who are good at trades. The southern part of the city is generally made up of industrial zones and compact housing intended for industrial employees while the northern part has a suburban feel. Recent years is seeing Oshawa city grow rapidly, and the growth of land speculation in addition to rising property values have created an edge to the local economy.