Kingston, city, seat of Frontenac County in southeastern Ontario, Canada. It is on Lake Ontario at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River and at the southern terminus of the Rideau Canal. It is a shipping, manufacturing, and educational center; principal products include fabricated metal, diesel equipment, synthetic fibers, electronic products, ceramics, and processed food. Economic activities associated with tourism, health care, and information services grew in importance at the end of the 20th century.
Several educational institutions are in Kingston, including Queen's University at Kingston, the affiliated Queen's Theological College, and the Royal Military College of Canada. It is also home to Bellevue House National Historic Site, which is the former home of Sir John A. Macdonald, the first prime minister of Canada, and Fort Henry, which was built during the War of 1812 and now houses a museum. Additional attractions include the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum; the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes; cruises of the Thousand Islands; the Agnes Etherington Art Centre; the Confederation Tour Trolley tours of the city; and the International Ice Hockey Federation Museum. The Canadian Olympic Sailing Regatta is held each August.
