The land between

the long version

Robert and Nancy Wightman correct our vision of northwestern Ontario. Drawing on years of extensive field and archival research, the Wightmans brings to light a distinct regional identity and unique patterns of economic development that have been shaped by the region's rich natural resources. A few major industries have dominated the economy of the region: the fur trade, the forest industry, mining, fishing, farming, and tourism. The Wightmans also investigate the supportive infrastructure that has grown in parallel to these industries. They consider developments in urbanization, transportation, and communications. Each essay in the collection covers a distinct period of regional development in a context of national and provincial trends. The Land Between will appeal to both scholars and general readers with interests in such areas as the environment, economic history, and regional history. For residents of northwestern Ontario, it provides a firm explanation of their developmental heritage.