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 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 four 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".