City of Montreal
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| City of Montreal | |
|---|---|
| Name | City of Montreal |
| Settlement type | Metropolis |
| Motto | Concordia Salus (Latin for "Well-being through harmony") |
| Coordinates | 45, 30, 32, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Canada |
| Subdivision type1 | Province |
| Subdivision name1 | Quebec |
| Subdivision type2 | Region |
| Subdivision name2 | Montreal |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | May 17, 1642 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | 1832 |
| Government type | Mayor–council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Valérie Plante |
| Leader title1 | Governing body |
| Leader name1 | Montreal City Council |
| Area total km2 | 431.50 |
| Area land km2 | 365.13 |
| Area water km2 | 66.37 |
| Elevation m | 31 |
| Elevation ft | 102 |
| Population total | 1,762,949 |
| Population as of | 2021 |
| Population density km2 | 4,828 |
| Population metro | 4,291,732 |
| Timezone | EST |
| Utc offset | −5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | −4 |
| Postal code type | Postal code(s) |
| Area code | 514 and 438 |
| Website | montreal.ca |
City of Montreal is the most populous municipality in the Province of Quebec and the second-most populous in Canada. Situated on the Island of Montreal at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Saint Lawrence River, it is a major port and the cultural and economic heart of French Canada. The city is a global hub for aerospace, technology, design, and the arts, renowned for its vibrant festivals, historic architecture, and cosmopolitan character.
History
The area was historically inhabited by the Saint Lawrence Iroquoians before the establishment of Ville-Marie in 1642 by French settlers Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve and Jeanne Mance. It became a centre for the fur trade and a focal point of colonial conflict, falling to British forces in 1760 during the Seven Years' War. The city's growth accelerated with the construction of the Lachine Canal and its pivotal role as the terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The 20th century saw major events like Expo 67, the 1976 Summer Olympics, and periods of significant political change, including the Quiet Revolution and the October Crisis of 1970.
Geography
The city core occupies the Island of Montreal, part of the Hochelaga Archipelago in the Saint Lawrence River. The landscape is dominated by the Mount Royal peak, part of the Monteregian Hills, which was designed as a major park by Frederick Law Olmsted. Other significant geographic features include the Rivière des Prairies to the north and the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The Montreal Urban Community encompasses numerous on-island boroughs like Le Plateau-Mont-Royal and off-island suburbs such as Laval and Longueuil.
Demographics
As of the 2021 Census, over 1.7 million people reside within its administrative limits, with a metropolitan population exceeding 4.2 million. A majority of residents list French as their first official language, with significant allophone communities. The city is home to diverse cultural communities, including large populations of Italian Canadians, Haitian Canadians, Arab Canadians, and Jewish Canadians. Key institutions like the Université de Montréal and McGill University attract a substantial student population.
Economy
A traditional financial centre anchored by the Montreal Exchange and institutions like the Bank of Montreal, the city's economy is highly diversified. It is a global headquarters for the International Civil Aviation Organization and a world leader in aerospace manufacturing, home to Bombardier Inc. and CAE Inc.. Other vital sectors include pharmaceuticals with Apotex and Biotechnology research, Information technology and video game development through studios like Ubisoft Montreal and Electronic Arts, and a thriving fashion industry.
Culture
Renowned as "Canada's Cultural Capital," the city hosts major events like the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs, and the Montreal World Film Festival. It is the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil and boasts prestigious institutions such as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the Place des Arts complex. The Quartier des Spectacles is a central entertainment district, while neighbourhoods like Le Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile End are famed for their terrace culture, artisanal bagels, and contributions to indie music.
Government
The city operates under a Mayor–council government structure as defined by the City of Montreal Charter. The current mayor is Valérie Plante of Projet Montréal, and the legislative body is the Montreal City Council. The municipality is part of the Montreal administrative region of Quebec and is the seat of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal. It is represented in the Parliament of Canada and the National Assembly of Quebec by numerous ridings, including Mount Royal and Mercier.
Category:Populated places established in 1642 Category:Metropolitan areas of Canada