City coordinates: 42.4063848, -82.2101059
Chatham is a community in southwestern Ontario located near the Thames River and part of the municipality of Chatham-Kent. Historically the city developed as an agricultural and industrial centre serving the surrounding rural region.
The local economy has long been connected to farming, food production and manufacturing industries. Transportation routes linking the community with other cities in southwestern Ontario helped Chatham grow into an important regional service centre.
Today the area maintains a mixture of historic neighbourhoods, commercial districts and agricultural landscapes. Cultural institutions, public parks and community facilities contribute to the local character of the city.