Montreal

Montreal
Vreee · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Montreal
Settlement type	City
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Canada
Subdivision type1	Province
Subdivision name1	Quebec
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Valérie Plante
Area total km2	431.50
Population total	1,762,949
Population as of	2021
Population density km2	auto
Population metro	4,291,732
Timezone	Eastern Time Zone
Utc offset	−5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	−4
Coordinates	45, 30, 32, N...
Elevation m	30
Postal code type	Postal code(s)
Area code	514, 438
Blank name	GDP
Blank info	CA$201.0 billion (2020)
Blank1 name	GDP per capita
Blank1 info	CA$58,000 (2020)

Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec and the second-most populous city in Canada. Situated on an island in the Saint Lawrence River, it is a major port and a global hub for commerce, aerospace, technology, and culture. The city is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and status as one of the world's largest French-speaking cities, with a rich heritage shaped by Indigenous, French, British, and diverse immigrant influences.

History

The area was historically inhabited by the Saint Lawrence Iroquoians before the arrival of Jacques Cartier in 1535. Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve founded Ville-Marie in 1642 as a Catholic mission, which grew into a vital centre for the North American fur trade. Following the Seven Years' War, the city was ceded to Great Britain through the Treaty of Paris (1763). It served as the capital of the Province of Canada from 1844 to 1849 and became the economic heart of Canada with the expansion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The 20th century saw major events like Expo 67 and the 1976 Summer Olympics, alongside periods of social change such as the Quiet Revolution and the October Crisis.

Geography

The city is located on the Island of Montreal at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence River and the Ottawa River. It is part of the Hochelaga Archipelago and is dominated by Mount Royal, a large volcanic hill from which the city takes its name. The Lachine Rapids historically impeded navigation upstream, while the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the Victoria Bridge later enhanced its connectivity. The Rivière des Prairies separates the island from Laval to the north, and the city's terrain includes several other peaks like Westmount Summit.

Demographics

As of the 2021 Canadian census, the city proper had a population of over 1.7 million, with a metropolitan population exceeding 4.2 million. It is a multilingual city where French is the official language, spoken at home by a majority, while a significant portion of the population also speaks English. Major ethnic and cultural communities include those of Italian, Arab, Haitian, Spanish, and Chinese descent. The city is also home to notable institutions like the Université de Montréal and McGill University.

Economy

The city has a diverse, knowledge-based economy and is a global leader in aerospace, led by companies such as Bombardier and CAE Inc.. It is a major centre for the pharmaceutical industry, with firms like Pfizer and Novartis having a strong presence, and a hub for information technology and artificial intelligence research, anchored by Mila and the IVADO institute. Other key sectors include finance, with the Montreal Exchange and National Bank of Canada, and film production, supported by Telefilm Canada and major studios.

Culture

The city is celebrated for its vibrant cultural landscape, hosting major events like the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs, and the Montreal World Film Festival. It is a UNESCO City of Design and boasts renowned institutions such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and the Cirque du Soleil. The historic district of Old Montreal features architectural landmarks like Notre-Dame Basilica, while the city's culinary scene is famous for specialties like bagels and poutine.

Government and politics

The city operates under a mayor-council system as part of the Montreal Metropolitan Community. The current mayor, Valérie Plante, leads the Projet Montréal party and presides over the Montreal City Council. The city is represented in the House of Commons of Canada by Members of Parliament from parties like the Liberal Party of Canada and the Bloc Québécois, and in the National Assembly of Quebec by members of the Coalition Avenir Québec and the Quebec Liberal Party. Key local issues often involve language politics, infrastructure projects, and relations with the Government of Quebec.

Category:Populated places established in 1642 Category:Port cities and towns in Quebec Category:French-speaking regions