Aristocracy and Regional Municipality of Durham: Difference between pages

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[[Image:ontdur.PNG|right|Durham Regional Municipality]]

'''Aristocracy''' means "rule by the best."

'''The Regional Municipality of Durham''', commonly called Durham Region (2003 population 525,000), is a regional political area located east of [[Toronto, Ontario]]. It has an area of approximately 2,500 square kilometers and includes the municipalities of [[Pickering, Ontario|Pickering]], [[Ajax, Ontario|Ajax]], [[Oshawa, Ontario|Oshawa]], [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]], [[Clarington, Ontario|Clarington]], [[Uxbridge, Ontario|Uxbridge Township]], [[Scugog, Ontario|Scugog Township]] and [[Brock, Ontario|Brock Township]]. Durham Region is considered part of the [[Greater Toronto Area]]. The regional seat is in [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]].

The region of Durham was established in [[1974]] as one of several new "regional" governments in the Province of [[Ontario]]--primarily in fast-growing urban and suburban areas. Durham Region encompasses areas that were previously part of Ontario County and Durham County.

That is the first definition given in most dictionaries. It is often confused with [[plutocracy]] ("rule by the wealthy"), [[oligarchy]] ("rule by the few"), and [[monarchy]] ("rule by a single individual").

The southern portion of the region, adjacent to Lake Ontario is primarily suburban in nature, forming the eastern flank of the "905" belt of suburbs and exurbs around Toronto. The northern area encompasses rural areas and small towns.

While the pure Aristotelian idea is intellectually appealing to many, selecting who is "best" is problematical. Certainly, those in power usually wish to stay in power and "the best" do not necessarily beget "the best" (although they may pride themselves on the quality of their "breeding").

Major employers include [[General Motors of Canada]], [[Ontario Power Generation]], [[Lakeridge Health System]], [[Durham College]], [[University of Ontario Institute of Technology]] and many smaller component and transportation firms supplying the automotive industry.

The word "aristocracy" has been applied, usually incorrectly, by various persons to various governments, with those out of power using the word as a pejorative.

The Canadian headquarters of [[General Motors]], [[Volkswagen]], and [[BMW]] are all located in the region. The automotive industry is especially concentrated in Oshawa.

In the [[United Kingdom]], the word aristocracy is often applied to the landed gentry who comprise the "upper class." Those (often titled) individuals have inherited their positions from ancestors who lived generations ago. Again, the term is often applied derogatorily.

The four separate [[public transit]] systems in the region, operated by various municipalities, are set to be amalgamated under the Region's administration at the beginning of [[2006]].

[[Category:Politics]]

[[Category:Social sciences]]

[[Category:Social groups]]

Durham also has one [[Indian reserve]], [[Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Ontario|Mississaugas of Scugog Island]]

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== External Link ==

[[es:Aristocracia]]

*[http://www.region.durham.on.ca Region of Durham] The Region of Durham.

[[fr:Aristocratie]]

*[http://www.durhamtourism.ca DurhamTourism.ca] Tourism guide to the region.

[[it:Aristocrazia]]

*[http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/freecycledurhamregion/ Freecycle Durham Region] Home page of the Durham Region chapter of the worldwide [http://www.freecycle.org Freecycle Network]

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{{Ontario}}

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[[Category:Census divisions of Ontario]]

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[[pt:Municipalidade Regional de Durham]]