The Toronto area was home to a number of First Nations groups who lived on the shore of Lake Ontario. At various times, the Neutral, Seneca, Mohawk and Cayuga nations were living in the vicinity of Toronto. The first permanent European presence was the French trading fort Fort Rouillé, which was established in 1750, south of the village site of Teiaiagon. However, the first large influx of Europeans was by United Empire Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution. In 1793, Toronto, then known as York, was named capital of the new colony of Upper Canada, was the site of a major battle during the War of 1812, and was incorporated and renamed Toronto in 1834. The city steadily grew during the 19th century, becoming one of the main destinations of immigrants to Canada. In the second half of the 20th century, Toronto surpassed Montreal as the economic capital of Canada and as its largest city.
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