Espanola lies on Highway 6 just south of its junction with Highway 17, that section of the Trans-Canada Highway which runs along the north shore of Lake Huron between Sault Ste Marie and Sudbury. Highway 6 runs south to Manitoulin Island.

The name "Espanola" is thought to have arisen from the fact that in the middle of the eighteenth century a band of Ojibway Indians who lived in this area brought back a Spanish woman after a journey south into the United States. Later, French explorers were amazed to discover some of the Indians speaking Spanish and so named their village "Espagnole" which over the course of time became the present-day Espanola. The nearby town of Spanish was presumably named for the same reason.

Today, Espanola, a town of 6000 is the gateway to the Lacloche Country (Rainbow Country) and Manitoulin Island and the natural wonders within.

Espanola's major employer, Domtar Inc. offers tours of its pulp and paper mill and sawmill operations during July & August.

The mill mentioned above was used as a Prisoner of War camp during World War II.

COTTAGES FOR SALE, PRIVATE ISLANDS, RESORTS, LODGES, WATERFRONT LOTS, ACREAGES, CABINS  FOR SALE