Welcome to Montreal
Location:
This large Metropolis is situated in the south-east part of Canada, not far away from the border with U.S.A.
Area/Surface:
431.50 km²
Population:
3.405.000 people
Calling code:
+1 514 or +1 438
How to get here:
By car:
The City is very close to the capital Ottawa and is an important road junction of Canada.
From North-West: follow the National road 117 and then Highway 15.
From North-East: follow Highway 40 and Highway 20.
From East: follow Highway 10.
From South: follow Highway 15 which continues in U.S.A. with Interstate 87.
From West and South-West: follow Highways 20, 40 and 50.
By train:
The city is one of the largest railway junctions from Canada and the railway company VIA Rail has daily trains towards and from the largest cities of Canada, but mostly from Quebec City. Also, there is a daily route Montreal – New York by the US Amtrak Railway company.
By plane:
Montreal City has two international airports, but only Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport from the little city of Dorval will transport passengers. You can fly here from more than 100 worldwide destinations, with more than 40 air companies. Among these, Air Canada or Air Transat have their headquarters right here in Montreal.
Foundation year:
17 May 1642
When to go:
The best period to visit Montreal City is between April and October, when the winter cold weather has passed and the days are sunnier and warmer, good for visits.
Montreal, Canada
Importance, languages and name of Montreal, Canada:
The great Canadian Metropolis of Montreal is the 2nd largest city in Canada after Toronto, but the 1st from Quebec province and in North America is on the 9th place. It’s interesting to know that the official language is French, so it makes this city to be on the 2nd place in the world after Paris as number of people who have French as a main language. This is because it is part of Quebec where most of the people are French speakers. However, more than a half of the population speak very well English, which is the 2nd language spoken here. The name Montreal comes from the hill with 3 peaks that has a mountainous aspect and is situated in the middle of the city called Mont Royal. Initially, the city was called Mary’s City, but due to an old Italian map from the XVI century, the name became Mont Real.
History of Montreal, Canada:
The history of this city, started 4000 years ago, since the firsts establishments of this place. Later on, the first French colonists appeared and from just few people it increased to few millions in just several centuries. These French colonists are the ancestors of today’s French speakers from the city. Especially in the XVII century they called the city Ville Marie or Mary’s City. In 1705 the name Montreal appeared for the first time and in 1832 it becomes a city. Between 1844 and 1849 it was Canada’s capital and after 150 years the city is a great Metropolis rich in sky scrapers, modern buildings, highways and cultural centers which contrast ones to the others.
Skyscrapers from downtown Montreal City
Industries, tourism, tourist attractions and objectives from Montreal, Canada:
Today, this city is one of the most beautiful and important cities in Canada and North America and is an important university center situated on the 10th place in the world, so if you come and study here you will get the chance to spend hours or days with the other thousands of students. It’s also an important cultural, business, movie production, games and fashion center and the economy is based besides these on the technological, pharmaceutical, air and tourism industries because the city is well developed. Culturally, this city is the center of Canadian Culture and tourists can enjoy jazz or rock concerts, because here is held an annual Jazz International Festival.
They can also enjoy French movies production or the World Movie Festival and many other national or international events. (Find more journeys on blog.worldlifetimejourneys.com) On the other hand, Montreal City is well prepared with green and recreation spaces because right in the heart of the city is the biggest park called Park Mont Royal created by Frederick Law Olmsted who also created the Central Park from New York City. You cannot miss the historic center with some of its objectives like the Old Port, Town Hall, Bonsecours Plaza, Guns Plaza, Notre Dame Basilica from Montreal, the science center and many others. Architecturally, is as well a powerful center with more than 50 buildings and monuments included on the national historic patrimony. In 2006, this city was made an UNESCO Center of Design. The main tourist attractions and objectives you can visit in Montreal are listed on the right side. Visit Montreal!
The interior of Notre Dame Cathedral from Montreal
