The Highlights of Montréal, Québec

The setting for the 2003 Meeting, Montreal is a bilingual metropolis that’s culturally part North American and part European. At the heart of its personality is the commingling of the city’s English and French speakers.

Often compared to New York, Montreal is studded with skyscrapers and great architecture and is renowned for its fine restaurants. Beneath its streets is the Underground City, a world of shops and entertainment venues protected from the fierce winter weather.

From the National Geographic Travel Guide.

Read on for more detailed information about Montréal.

General Information

• Montreal has the second highest population in Canada with 3,359,000 people living in the Montreal Urban Community
• Montreal is located in the Northeastern quadrant of North America almost due North of New York City. It is a port city and has often been called the "Gateway to Europe". [map]
• “Montreal” refers both to the city itself, which is comparatively small, and the Island, which has an area of 3,509 km².
• There are 27 municipalities on the Island of Montreal, collectively known as the Montreal Urban Community. These municipalities each have their own unique character, affording Montrealers many different choices in lifestyle.
• Montreal's highest point is 761ft (232m) and has an excellent view of the city and the surrounding St. Lawrence Valley.
• Montreal has the lowest youth crime rate of any North American city and is one of the safest cities on the Continent.
• Montreal has frequently been recognized as one of the world's gastronomical capitals by the American magazine Food & Wine.
• Compared to other major cities, Montreal is the most affordable. [details]

Other Montreal Websites

The following sites comprise various aspects of Montreal and may be of interest to symposium participants.

• Tourisme Montréal
• Montréal a Celebration
• Montreal News Portal
• Live Webcam of Montreal