The city of Montreal takes its name from “Mont Real” (as spelled in Middle French) or “Mont Royall” (as pronounced in current French.) The name designated the three headed hill located at the center of the city. It is the second largest city in Canada. Majority of the Canadian population are centered in Montreal.
Historical Overview
Montreal was occupied by the native, nomadic tribes for almost 200 years before the arrival of Europeans. The first French settlement was established in 1642. Montreal was transformed into a city in the first half of the 19th century. It served as the capital of Canada from 1844 to 1849.Montreal is the economic and cultural capital of Canada. The city hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics and Expo 67.
Montreal Weather
The city of Montreal lies at the confluence of the Ottawa and Saint Lawrence rivers. The climatological conditions can best be described as humid continental. Rainfall is abundant, while the average snowfall is 2.25 meters per year, during the winter. Most of the rainfall occurs during the summer months. However, the summer months also register the sunniest weather. January is the coldest month.
Cultural Scenario
The city abounds with orchestras, ballet troupes, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and theater companies. Place des Art is the venue of classical art. Dance Troupes like the O Vertigo, Foundation Jean-Pierre Perreault, have witnessed the performance of several renowned artists. The Cirque du Soleil is the product of the integration of the multi-disciplined arts of Montreal. Some of the famous theaters of Montreal are the Yiddish Theater, the Teesri Duniya Theater, and the Optative Theatrical Laboratories.
Festivals and Other Attractions
Montreal is home to the International Jazz Festival. The major attractions are the Just For Laughs festival (a comedy festival) and the Montreal Fireworks Festival. The Black and Blue festival is celebrated each year as a gay-benefit dance festival. Montreal records an exuberant nightlife. It is renowned as one of North America’s "sin cities".
Sports, Eateries and Nightclubs
The “Crescent” is one of Montreal’s major attractions. It houses many clubs and bars. Saint Laurent Boulevard also has a large range of hotels, pubs, nightclubs, and restaurants. Montreal also has many world famous eateries, which are a delight to the taste buds. Montreal also has an active sporting population. Hockey, baseball, football, auto racing, cycling, and tennis- the list only extends more and more.
Thus, Montreal holds much in store for the tourist with its boulevards, state of the art eateries, festivals, exotic cuisine and a bustling nightlife. The city also holds many architectural marvels and religious sanctuaries.
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