Montreal
Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec and the second-largest city in Canada. Located on the Island of Montreal at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers, the city is known for its rich French heritage, world-class festivals, and vibrant arts and culture scene.
Quick Facts
- Province: Quebec
- Population: Over 1.8 million (city), 4.3 million (Greater Montreal Area)
- Official Language: French
- Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (ET)
- Demonym: Montrealer / Montréalais(e)
History
The area was originally inhabited by the St. Lawrence Iroquoians and later settled by the French in 1642 as Ville-Marie. It became a major fur trading post and, over time, evolved into a hub for commerce, culture, and immigration.
Montreal was Canada’s largest city until the 1970s and has hosted several global events, including the 1967 Expo and the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Language and Identity
French is the official language of Montreal, and about 65% of residents speak it as their first language. However, Montreal is also one of the most bilingual cities in Canada — and one of the most multilingual cities in the world.
Economy
Montreal has a diverse and advanced economy, focused on:
- Aerospace and aviation
- Artificial intelligence and tech startups
- Education and research
- Finance and insurance
- Tourism, arts, and culture
It’s also the second-largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris.
Major Attractions
- Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal)
- Notre-Dame Basilica
- Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal)
- Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
- Jean-Talon and Atwater Markets
- St. Joseph’s Oratory
- Olympic Stadium and Biodome
Events and Festivals
Montreal is renowned for hosting major international festivals, including:
- Montreal International Jazz Festival
- Just for Laughs (Juste pour rire)
- Osheaga Music and Arts Festival
- World Film Festival
- Fête de la Saint-Jean
Education
Montreal is a university powerhouse, home to:
- McGill University (English)
- Université de Montréal (French)
- Concordia University (English)
- UQAM – Université du Québec à Montréal (French)
Neighborhoods
- Plateau-Mont-Royal
- Downtown (Centre-Ville)
- Old Montreal
- Mile End
- Little Italy
- Griffintown
- Côte-des-Neiges
Transportation
Montreal has an extensive metro and bus system operated by STM. The city also supports biking and walking with a network of paths. Montréal–Trudeau International Airport connects the city globally.
Did You Know?
- Montreal was originally an island surrounded by rivers and smaller islands.
- Mount Royal, the hill in the city’s center, gave Montreal its name.
- The Underground City (RÉSO) spans 33 km of tunnels linking shops, buildings, and transit stations.