Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario, a Canadian state. The name 'Toronto' means 'place where trees stand in the water'. As a global city that exerts significant regional and international influence, Toronto is one of the most multicultural and ethnically diverse cities in the world. It is one of the country's most important cultural, artistic and health science centers. The city is the fifth most populous municipality in North America. Toronto is designated by the federal government as one of the Canada's cultural capitals. The city, part of the Golden Horseshoe, a highly urbanized and industrialized region extending around the west end of Lake Ontario has the largest metropolitan area in the country. Toronto's local government consisting of 44 elected councilors with a mayor as head make up the Toronto City Council.
Area & Location: Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto covers a total area of 629.91 sq. km. It is bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, Etobicoke Creek and Highway 427 to the west, Steeles Avenue to the north and the Rouge River to the east. The city has a population of 2,481,494.
Economy: Being the country's economic engine and one of the world's largest financial centers, Toronto is also a commercial, distribution and industrial centre. The city has the second largest economy in Canada as it is its banking and stock exchange center. The wealth of raw materials and hydroelectric power of Ontario have made the city a primary centre of industry.
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Majority of the country's manufactured goods are produced in and around the city. The size of Metropolitan Toronto's economy is eighth in the world having a GDP of US$305 billion. The development of the auto industry, the exploitation of large mineral resources in its hinterland and the opening of St. Lawrence Seaway has led to the economic growth of the city.
Tourist Attractions: The 553 meter long CN Tower, the tallest free-standing land structure in the world is the main landmark of the city of Toronto. The other attractions of the city include the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the University of Toronto campus, the Distillery District; Bloor-Yorkville- one of Toronto's most elegant shopping and dining areas, Casa Loma, the Beaches, the Toronto Islands, Kensington Market; the Toronto Eaton Centre; the Hockey Hall of Fame and sports complexes the Air Canada Centre and the Rogers Centre. The beautiful parks and gardens in the city fascinate the tourists. Some of them are Edwards Gardens, Riverdale Farm, Guildwood Park, High Park, Allan Gardens, James Gardens, Toronto Music Garden and Toronto Island Gardens. People reach Toronto Eaton Centre, a large popular shopping mall in the city to pick up their favorite items. Queen's Park, a historic scenic park and public space that surrounds the Ontario's Legislative Assembly, St. Lawrence Market, Hockey Hall of Fame, the Panorama Lounge, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Ontario Science Centre, the Leslie Street Spit, the Toronto Zoo, Little Glenn and the city's oldest cathedrals, the Roman Catholic St. Michael's Cathedral and the Anglican St. James' Cathedral, both on Church Street are the other places of interest in the city. Casa Loma, a castle overlooking downtown Toronto, is the most popular tourist attraction.
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