Amherstburg (2011 population 21,556; UA population 13,330) is a Canadian town near the mouth of the Detroit River in Essex County, Ontario. In 1796 Fort Malden was established here, becoming the heart of the settlement. It has been designated as a National Historic Site.The city is approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan, facing Wyandotte, Grosse Ile Township, Brownstown Charter Township, and Gibraltar, Michigan.