Burlington (2006 population 164,415) is a city located in Southern Ontario at the western end of Lake Ontario, lying between the north shore of Lake Ontario and the ridge of the Niagara Escarpment. Politically, the city is part of Halton Region. Physically, Burlington is part of the Greater Toronto Area, and rests as the only member of the Halton Regional Municipality that is part of the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. Its geographic position puts it roughly in the centre of the Golden Horseshoe region, a dynamic location with many attractions.

While it contains both some small industrial areas and high-tech companies, Burlington is primarily a bedroom suburb of both Toronto and Hamilton. Typical of much suburban growth in southern Ontario in the last half of the twentieth century, the large land spaces available as fully detached single-family housing - serviced primarily by big-box stores, large shopping malls and smaller high-end boutiques and eateries - has encouraged the use of automobiles to get from place to place within the city. Burlington bears many similarities to the neighboring town of Oakville, including a high per capita income amongst its residents and a thriving downtown heritage area.

Some of the many attractions include: Canada's Largest Ribfest, Sound of Music Festival, Burlington Art Centre, all located downtown in close proximity to Spencer Smith Park.