Editing Barrie (section)

== Geography ==
Barrie is located in the central portion of southern Ontario, approximately {{convert|abbr=on|90|km}} north of [[Toronto]] within the Greater [[Golden Horseshoe]] subregion. It is accessible via Highways [[Ontario Highway 26|26]], [[Ontario Highway 400|400]] and [[Ontario Highway 11|11]] and has convenient access to [[Highway 401]], the [[Highway 407|Highway 407 Express Toll Route]] and to neighbouring Toronto. [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]] is less than a one-hour drive from Barrie via Highway 400.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

Barrie's historic downtown area is situated in a distinct curved or wrapped valley, surrounding the western edge of Kempenfelt Bay. Terrain is generally flat near the city's centre. Moving up the valley slopes toward the city's north and south ends, the terrain can be rather steep in some areas. The minimum elevation of Barrie is {{convert|175|m|ft|0}} around the shores of Kempenfelt Bay and the maximum elevation is {{convert|427|m|ft|0}} northwest of the [[Lake Simcoe Regional Airport]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en-ca.topographic-map.com/maps/qp2/Barrie/ | title=Barrie topographic map, elevation, relief|website=En-ca.topographic-map.com }}</ref>

Barrie falls into Plant Hardiness Zone 5b. The city does not have any major rivers within its limits but does have numerous creeks and streams, most of which empty into Kempenfelt Bay.

=== Intraurban communities ===
[[File:Barrie Condos and Houses in Winter.jpg|thumb|right|Residential condominiums and houses in Barrie after a snowfall]]
* Allandale
* Ardagh Bluffs
* Craighurst
* Cundles
* Dalston
* Downtown
* Eastview
* Ferndale
* Holly
* Horseshoe Valley
* Letitia Heights
* Little Lake
* Minet's Point
* Painswick
* St. Paul's
* The Grove

=== Expansion ===
Barrie has been designated an Urban Growth Centre by the province of Ontario. As one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, this designation aims to mitigate urban sprawl and concentrate higher-density development in areas specified by the City of Barrie. Its population growth can be attributed to the emergence of the city as a bedroom community for Toronto. In 1991, Barrie had a population of 62,728 and by 2017, Barrie had an estimated population of 147,000. By 2031, the city's population is expected to exceed 200,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.barrie.ca/City+Hall/Planning-and-Development/Pages/Growth-Management.aspx|title=Growth Management|website=Barrie.ca|access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> To plan for the continued growth of the city, Barrie successfully annexed {{convert|2,293|hectare|km2}} of land from the neighbouring Town of [[Innisfil, Ontario|Innisfil]] to the south and southeast on January 1, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barrie-Innisfil Boundary Adjustment Act, 2009 |url=http://www.fairgrowth.ca/pdf/Barrie-Innisfil-Adjustment-Act2009.pdf |publisher=the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario |access-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122070201/http://www.fairgrowth.ca/pdf/Barrie-Innisfil-Adjustment-Act2009.pdf |archive-date=22 November 2010}}</ref> The annexation comprised lands south beyond McKay Road and west of the 10th Sideroad, and as far south as Lockhart Road on the east side of the 10th Sideroad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairgrowth.ca/images/proposedBoundaryChanges.PNG|format=PNG|title=Photographic image|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214130142/http://www.fairgrowth.ca/images/proposedBoundaryChanges.PNG |access-date=July 24, 2022|archive-date=February 14, 2010 }}</ref> The annexation allows Barrie to meet its future population needs without having to extend into the countryside north, east and west of the city. Intensification and infilling are simultaneously being undertaken in and near the downtown core to foster a more active urban environment within the city.