Kingston, Ont, City, pop 55 947 (1996c), 56 597 (1991c), 55 050 (1986c), area 29.64 km2, is located at the eastern end of Lake ONTARIO, 175 km southwest of Ottawa. The former capital of the PROVINCE OF CANADA, its position at the junction of the GREAT LAKES and ST LAWRENCE RIVER has been crucial to its economic and political history.