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Montreal Facts |
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Geography: Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec. It is located in 45 degrees North and 73 degrees W. With a Population of 1, 900, 000, Montreal is the 15th largest metropolitan city in North America. The city is situated in the Island of Montreal, at the conflux of St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. Montreal has been named on the most important relief feature of the island, the Mount Royal. Montreal has variable climate. Summer temperatures rise to 20.9 degrees centigrade with rainfall averaging to 35.3 inches. Winters are freezing with -10.4 degrees centigrade and snowfall of 84 inches. Vegetation consists mainly of maple.
History: The original inhabitants were the Huron, Algonquin, and Iroquois who resided for 8, 000 years. Montreal got in touch with the Europeans when Jacques Cartier enters the island on the 2nd of October in 1535. Under the French influence, the region became the center of fur trade. In 1760, the region fell under the British and under them it was incorporated as a city in the year 1832. During this period, it reached the zenith of prosperity. Post World Wars I and II, the city followed the path of urban development and emerged as one of the important world cities.
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Economy: Montreal is the largest inland port, with an inland waterway link to the industrial centers of the Great Lakes. It is an important trade center with headquarters of Canadian Space Agency, International Civil Aviation Organization and International Air Transport Association, located here. The industries which contribute to the economy are pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, textiles, manufacturing, clothing, aerospace and tobacco. Films and other television productions are also important contributors to the economy.
Society and Cultural Life: Montreal has a cosmopolitan society with people of British, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Greek, Polish, Chinese and aboriginal origin. Christianity is the main religion, with catholic and protestant divisions amongst the believers. The culture of Montreal reflects the characteristics of all the North American countries.
Montreal is a storehouse of festivals and activities all year round. Every weekend, during the months of June and July sees a fireworks display and the world famous; International Jazz Festival The snow festival attracts the visitors in the months of January and February. Major sports events like Canadian Grand Prix and the Tour de l’Ile are hosted by the city.
- Travel to Montreal – You can take a flight to the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport in Montreal. If you are traveling from other North American countries then the highways and interstate freeways are good for travel by car or bus. Inter state and city bus services are provided by the Greyhound Canada, Coach Canada, Vermont Transit and Orleans Express. The Station Centrale serves as the bus terminus. Train service, provided by VIA Rail Canada is another way to get in the city from Ontario, New York and New Brunswick.
- Travel in Montreal - Public transportation includes excellent metro railways connections, which are both fast and cheap. Other than that, you can hire a car; take a taxi or a bus to your destination. Cycling is another good option. The best way to travel in Montreal is, walking down the lanes!
Administration and Government: The City Council, headed by the Mayor, governs the city. At present the Mayor is Gerald Tremblay, a member of the Montreal Island Citizens Union. The City Council heads the Executive Committee, who makes the policy decisions. The city is a part of the Montreal Metropolitan Community.
Educational Institutions: The English Montreal School Board operates the English language secondary schools. French language schools are handled by the Commission scolaire de Montréal. There is a college level which is also the preparatory level for admissions in universities. The main French language universities are under the Université de Montréal, like the Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. English language universities are the McGill University, Concordia University and the John Molson School of Business.
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