Montreal, Quebec

Montreal is the largest city in Quebec and the second-largest city in Canada, with a 2021 population of 1,762,949 in the city proper.

Montreal is the largest city in Quebec and the second-largest city in Canada. It is located on Île de Montréal at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. The city had a population of 1,762,949 in the 2021 Canadian census, making it a major French-speaking metropolis and a key centre of culture, commerce, education, and transportation.

History

Montreal began as the French settlement of Ville-Marie in 1642, established on the site of earlier Indigenous occupation. It later grew into one of North America's major cities and was incorporated as a city in 1832.

Geography

The city occupies most of Île de Montréal in southwestern Quebec, near the meeting point of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. Its name derives from Mount Royal, the hill that rises in the centre of the island.

Population and language

Montreal is the most populous city in Quebec and one of the largest metropolitan areas in Canada, with a metropolitan population of 4,342,213 in 2021. French and English are both widely used, and the city is often described as the largest primarily French-speaking city in the Americas.

Economy and institutions

Montreal is a major commercial, financial, transportation, and cultural centre. It is also known for its universities, museums, theatre, and international festivals, as well as having hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics.