Toronto City Guide

Toronto is known as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world and this is reflected in the personality of the city and it’s people.

Whether Toronto is your intended destination or just a brief stopover on the way to your new home, we have compiled this guide to help you get your bearings on arrival. To obtain more details about the city check out the websites listed at the end of this profile.

Population

With a population of 2.5 million, Toronto is Canada’s largest city and is the centre of the fifth largest city region in North America. As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, it is home to more than 100 cultures. Almost half of Canada’s migrants settle in the Greater Toronto area. There are two official languages in Canada – English and French. 

Geography

Toronto lies on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario, the easternmost of the Great Lakes. Located on a broad sloping plateau cut by numerous river valleys, Toronto covers 641 sq.km. There are 1500 parks and 8,000 hectares of parklands which cover over 18 per cent of the city’s area.

Climate

Toronto’s latitude is very close to that of northern California and as a result, Toronto has a surprisingly moderate climate – with the warmest springs and summers in Canada.

Housing

Most dwellings in the Greater Toronto area are single detached whilst in Toronto City most people live in high-rise residential units. Average House Price (July 2004) CAN$ 312,418

Economy

Toronto is Canada’s corporate capital, with more nationally and internationally top-ranked companies than any other Canadian city. Unlike many cities whose economic fortunes are tied to one or two major industries, the Toronto region has a broad array of successful and highly competitive manufacturing and services clusters. The key industry clusters are information technology and telecommunications. 

Dining Out

“The world within a city” truly sums up Toronto cuisine. Toronto’s more than 5,000 restaurants reflect tastes, cultures and ingredients from around the world – all with a distinctive Toronto flair.

Local Transport

Go Transit is Canada’s first and Ontario’s only interregional public transit system, established to link Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto area. It carries 44 million passengers a year in a network of train and bus services that is one of North America’s premier transportation systems. The city is also served by the VIA Rail, the network that provides all the rail service throughout Canada. There are two airports, an international airport and one in the city handling private and corporate flights.

Performing Arts

Toronto is the undisputed entertainment capital of Canada – in large part due to the wealth of lavish Broadway-style musicals, home grown productions, travelling road shows and classical concerts being staged at any given time. Toronto offers year-round international festivals and events of film, culture and music. The Toronto theatre scene is the second largest in North America.

Lifestyle and Outdoor Recreation

Toronto is a city filled with skyscrapers, amazing architecture, flourishing and beautiful parks and gardens, and miles of beaches. The breathtaking countryside, Niagara Falls (one of the seven wonders of the world), a world-class wine region and dozens of outdoor adventures surround this fast-paced metropolitan area.

Education

For primary education there are many private and public schools in Toronto. For further education there are three universities and several colleges as well as technical and vocational schools.

Toronto on the Net

City of Toronto
www.toronto.ca

Toronto tourism
www.torontotourism.com

Toronto travel guide - Toronto online guide, maps and tourism information.

Weather

Average maximum temperature in Summer Average maximum temperature in Winter Bright sunshine hourse per year Mean annual rainfall

22 Degrees Celsius 4.6 Degrees Celsius 2045 5819mm

Time

Toronto time is 5 hours behind GMT.