:''For the electoral district, see
Kitchener—Waterloo''
'Kitchener-Waterloo' ('K-W') is an unofficial but ubiquitous name for the area in
Ontario,
Canada, consisting of the
twin cities of
Kitchener and
Waterloo, approximately 100 kilometres west of
Toronto. The two cities grew into each other decades ago and their shared boundary cuts through streets, backyards and houses. While the term is used by local residents, Kitchener and Waterloo are separate cities and not a single municipal entity.
The term is often used to describe joint ventures between the two cities and other initiatives that draw upon resources in both Kitchener and Waterloo, such as
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest,
K-W Health Centre,
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Kitchener-Waterloo Santa Claus Parade, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society.
With Cambridge
Cambridge has grown to share a border with Kitchener, and along with Waterloo, the three cities are sometimes referred to as the Tri-Cities or as Waterloo Region, since they are the three cities within the
Regional Municipality of Waterloo (which also includes surrounding townships). This area is also known as Canada's Technology Triangle. Some organizations serving the region are named after the
Grand River, which flows through the area—
Grand River Transit and the Grand Philharmonic Choir, for example. The river is not unique to this area, however, and the region around
Brantford, Ontario promotes itself as "Grand River Country".