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Timmins

Timmins is a city in northeastern Ontario, Canada, located on the Mattagami River in the Cochrane District.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Timmins is a city in northeastern Ontario, Canada, located on the Mattagami River in the Cochrane District. It is a regional service centre with an economy historically tied to gold mining and other natural resources. In the 2021 Canadian census, Timmins had a population of 41,145, with an estimated population of 44,819 in 2023.

Geography

Timmins is located in northeastern Ontario in the Cochrane District, along the Mattagami River. The city covers a very large land area of 3,210 square kilometres and is centrally located in Northeastern Ontario.

History

The area was settled after gold was discovered in 1905. Timmins was founded in 1911 and named after Noah Timmins, who helped establish it as a residential community for workers near the Hollinger gold mine.

Economy and identity

Timmins developed as a mining city and remains one of Canada’s notable mining centres. It also functions as a regional hub for services, shopping, and distribution in the surrounding area.

Recreation and tourism

Timmins is known for outdoor recreation in a landscape of boreal forest, lakes, and rivers. Common activities include fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, golfing, and winter sports.

Key facts

  • Timmins is in northeastern Ontario on the Mattagami River.
  • The city was founded in 1911 linked to the Hollinger gold mine.
  • Timmins is one of the largest cities in Canada by land area.
  • It serves as a regional service and distribution centre.
  • Outdoor recreation is a key attraction.
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Canadian context

Timmins is a notable northern Ontario city for Canadian readers because of its mining history, large land area, and role as a regional centre in Northeastern Ontario.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Timmins Ontario?
Timmins is in northeastern Ontario, Canada, in the Cochrane District, on the Mattagami River.
What is Timmins known for?
Timmins is known for its gold-mining history, natural-resource economy, and outdoor recreation in a northern landscape of forests, lakes, and rivers.
How big is Timmins?
Timmins has an area of 3,210 square kilometres, making it one of Canada’s largest cities by land area.
What is the population of Timmins?
Timmins had a population of 41,145 in the 2021 Canadian census, with an estimated population of 44,819 in 2023.
What is the weather in Timmins?
Timmins has a northern Ontario climate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers; the city is also described as having four distinct seasons.
What are things to do in Timmins?
Popular activities include fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, golfing, snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, and visiting local attractions such as parks and museums.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timmins
    Supports: Location in northeastern Ontario; population in 2021 and 2023 estimate.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Timmins
    Supports: History, founding in 1911, relation to gold mining, location on the Mattagami River.
  3. City of Timmins — https://www.timmins.ca/find_or_learn_about/maps_and_locations
    Supports: City location, latitude/longitude, land area of 3,210 square kilometres.
  4. Destination Ontario — https://www.destinationontario.com/en-ca/cities-towns/timmins
    Supports: Regional location, outdoor recreation, bilingual community, distance from Sudbury and Quebec border.
  5. Ontario.ca — https://files.ontario.ca/ndmnrf-geotours-3/ndmnrf-geotours-timmins-en-2021-12-13.pdf
    Supports: Mining importance and historical role as a major mining centre.