One theory that accounts for the significant growth and prominence of historic Toronto is the theory of metropolitan dominance. Geography, in addition to other physical characteristics, have been cited as primary contributing factors of this theory. Thus, Toronto’s advantageous location on Lake Ontario and the existence of the Toronto Passage were notable geographic features that contributed to the early growth of the city. This is evident in the city’s notable attraction of foreign settlers. The French originally settled in the area to take advantage of the the Toronto Passage for the purpose of the fur trade, which led the country to become a nodal city along the fur trade routes across Canada. The French also found the site to be a strategic wartime post while they were fighting the British. However, after the Seven Years War and the Treaty of Paris, Toronto became a British entity. Similarly, the British found the city to be a strategic location during the American Revolution.

During each of these periods of foreign occupation, the city experienced an influx of residents. During French occupation, people migrated to the city to take part in trade and war. Moreover, while under British rule, the city became a city known for trade, farming, and refuge. Specifically, after the Toronto Purchase, in which the Mississaugas acquired the city, farming became common practice. This development of the city’s hinterlands enabled the sustainability of a larger population. Additionally, the city became a place of safety for those escaping wartime chaos, especially during the American Revolution. During this time, many of the loyalists who had previously lived within the American colonies relocated across Lake Ontario to Toronto. By way of these historical events, Toronto emerged as a national metropolis. It was, and remains, dominant within the region and throughout Canada. As a second-order city, Toronto is the nation’s financial and business capital, which, of course, began with the emergence of significant trade during French occupation.

The concept of social physics, specifically the Zipf’s gravity model, further supplements the explanations of how Toronto became such a prominent city. Essentially, the gravity uses population and distance to determine gravitational pull. Thus, in specific regard to Toronto, its high population levels achieved during times of occupation significantly contributed to its gravitational attraction, thus drawing more individuals from around the region, both in Canada and the northeastern United States. Due to its closer proximity to the United States and other regions of Canada, Toronto was able to maintain its high population numbers even with competition from other nearby cities, like Montreal.