The Township of The Archipelago was created pursuant to The District of Parry Sound Local Government Act as a result of the Province's policy to extend, consolidate and strengthen local governments in the District of Parry Sound. The Municipality emerged from four previously unorganized townships on the east coast of Georgian Bay having a similar recreational land use character.

The Township consists of several thousand islands in Georgian Bay and a number of inland, freshwater lakes, all of which are used for recreational purposes either cottages or year-round residences. The lands in The Archipelago may be described as remote and sparsely populated. The essence of the Township is derived from its natural environment.

The local economy of the Township of The Archipelago results primarily from the natural resources of the area and the recreational base of the Municipality. Aside from those ancillary or incidental uses established in conjunction with the recreational nature of the Township, the true economic function relates to the passive recreational gains realized by the individual users of The Archipelago's environment.

The impetus for creating the Township of The Archipelago originated from a strong desire by its inhabitants and the Province to preserve its high quality recreational character and the natural environment. This Plan has been prepared within the context of the historical development of the area as well as its existing recreational development pattern.