Montreal, Quebec

Montreal is the second most populous city in Canada and the largest city in the province of Quebec. It is located on an island on the St Lawrence River and is the largest island in the Hochelaga Archipelago, a group of over 230 islands at the confluence of the St Lawrence River and Ottawa River.

Montreal is 150 miles upstream from provincial capital, Quebec City.

Population

A majority French-speaking city, Montreal also has a substantial English-language population.

Economy

The International Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations body governing civilian aviation, is headquartered in Montreal, as is its industry counterpart, the International Air Transport Association.

History

Montreal was founded in 1642 by French officer Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve, on the site of the former Iroquois village of Hochelaga. It was passed to Britain in 1760 and in 1766 became occupied by the American colonies. It was recovered in 1767.

Expo 67

The 1967 International and Universal Exposition, popularly known as Expo 67, attracted 50 million visits during Canada's centennial year, setting an attendance record that stands to this day. Though most pavillions were temporary structures, several remaining structures have become Montreal landmarks, including the geodesic dome US Pavilion, now the Montreal Biosphere, as well as Moshe Safdie's striking Habitat 67 apartment complex.