city, seat of Nipissing district, southeastern Ontario, Canada. It lies some 205 miles (330 km) north of Toronto. Named for its location on the northern bay of Lake Nipissing, the city originated as a rail yard on the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1882. It is now the southern terminus and head office of the Ontario Northland railway and a major station on two transcontinental rail lines. North Bay is an important wholesale- and retail-distributing centre and a popular summer resort. Lumbering, agriculture, and manufacturing also contribute to the economy. The city is the seat of Nippising University and has a large airport on a former air base. Inc. 1925. Pop. (2006) 53,966.