Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Toronto shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Toronto offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Toronto at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Toronto? Wrong! If the Toronto is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Toronto then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Toronto? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Toronto and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Toronto wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Toronto then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Toronto site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Toronto, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Toronto, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox City|official_name = City of Toronto|nickname = Toronto's name|motto = Diversity Our Strength|image_skyline = Toronto skyline edit.jpg|image_flag = Toronto_Flag.svg|flag_link = Flag of Toronto|flag_size = 125px|image_shield = Toronto_Coat_of_Arms.jpg|shield_link = Coat of arms of Toronto|shield_size = 85px|image_map = Toronto_Location_in_Ontario.png|map_caption = Location of Toronto and its census metropolitan area in the province of Ontario|subdivision_name = [Canada|subdivision_name1 = [Ontario|leader_name = [David Miller (mayor of Toronto)|leader_title1 = Council|leader_name1 = Toronto City Council|leader_name2 ={{Collapsible list|title = List of MPs|frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;|title_style =|list_style = text-align:left;display:none;|1=[Carolyn Bennett|3=[Olivia Chow|5=[Ken Dryden|7=[Michael Ignatieff|9=[Jack Layton|11=[John McKay (politician)|12=Dan McTeague|14=[Peggy Nash|16=[Yasmin Ratansi|18=[Mario Silva|20=[Joe Volpe|22=[Borys Wrzesnewskyj|leader_name3 ={{Collapsible list|title = List of MPPs|frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;|title_style = |list_style = text-align:left;display:none;|1=[Bas Balkissoon|3=[Laurel Broten|5=[Donna Cansfield|7=[Mary Anne Chambers|9=[Paul Ferreira|11=[Brad Duguid|13=[Rosario Marchese|15=[Michael Prue|17=[Tony Ruprecht|19=[George Smitherman|21=[Kathleen Wynne-->|established_title = Established|established_date = [August 27, 1793|established_date2 = [March 6, 1834|established_date3 = [January 1, 1998, 2006 Census of Population| date = [2007-03-13| work = [Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population]|utc_offset = -5|timezone_DST = Eastern Daylight Time|utc_offset_DST = -4|postal_code_type = Postal code span|postal_code = List of M Postal Codes of Canada|area_code = Area code 416/647|website = toronto.ca|latd=43 |latm=39 |lats= |latNS=N|longd=79 |longm=23 |longs= |longEW=W-->Toronto (, local pronunciation ) is the List of the 100 largest municipalities in Canada by population in Canada Canada, Greenwich Mean Time. Retrieved on 2007-07-08. and is the Provinces and territories of Canada Provincial and territorial capitals of Canada of Ontario, making it the Seat (legal entity) of the Monarchy in Ontario. It is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. Toronto, Ontario, Canada, North America Retrieved on 2007-July 8. With over 2.5 million residents, it is the fifth-most populous municipality in North America.{{cite web], 2007--> Toronto is at the heart of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and is part of a densely-populated region in south-central Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe which is home to over eight million residents.Total population of the Greater Toronto Area comprises the regional municipalities of Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario (561,258), Regional Municipality of Halton, Ontario (439,256), Regional Municipality of Peel, Ontario (1,159,405) and Regional Municipality of York, Ontario (892,712). These population figures are taken from {{cite web| url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=702&PR=35&SR=1&S=3&O=D| title = Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census divisions, 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data| publisher = Statistics Canada| accessdate = 2007-03-18-->The fact that these municipalities form the GTA is stated in {{cite web| url = http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/economy/demographics/projections/2006/index.html| title = Ontario Population Projections Update, 2005-2031 Ontario and Its 49 Census Divisions| publisher = [Ministry of Finance (Ontario), Government of Ontario| year = 2006| month = April| accessdate = 2007-03-18| quote = The Greater Toronto Area (GTA), comprised of the City of Toronto and the regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel and York, ...-->{{cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/analysis/popdwell/subprov4.cfm#ggh|title=Portrait of the Canadian Population in 2006: Subprovincial population dynamics, Greater Golden Horseshoe|work=Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population]|accessdate=2007-03-13--> The census metropolitan area (CMA) had a population of 5,113,149, and the Greater Toronto Area had a population of 5,555,912 at the Canada 2006 Census.

As Canada's economic capital, Toronto is considered a global city." What makes a global city?", Toronto Star (2004). Retrieved on 2007-07-08. Toronto's leading economic sectors include finance, business services, telecommunications, aerospace, transportation, mass media, arts, film, television production, publishing, computer software, medical research, education, tourism and sports industries. City of Toronto (2007) - Toronto economic overview, Key industry clusters and A Diversified Economy. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.{{cite web], the world's sixth largest, is headquartered in the city, along with a majority of Canada's corporations.

Toronto's population is cosmopolitan and international,{{cite book| last = Flew | first = Janine | authorlink = | coauthors = Humphries, Lynn ; Press, Limelight ; McPhee, Margaret | title = The Children's Visual World Atlas | publisher = Fog City Press | date = 2004 | location = [Sydney, Australia | pages = 76 | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 1 740893 17 4 -->{{cite web | url = http://allabout-toronto.com/| title = City of Toronto, Ontario| publisher =| date =| accessdate = 2007-07-06--> which reflects its role as an important destination for Immigration to Canada{{cite web| url=http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/policy/fed-prov/can-ont-toronto-mou.html| title=Canada-Ontario-Toronto Memorandum of Understanding on Immigration and Settlement (electronic version)| author=Citizenship and Immigration Canada| year=2006| month=September| accessdate=2007-03-01-->. Toronto is one of the world's most diverse cities, as about 49 percent of the population were born outside of Canada.{{cite web| url=http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/policy/fed-prov/can-ont-toronto-mou.html| title=Canada-Ontario-Toronto Memorandum of Understanding on Immigration and Settlement (electronic version)| author=Citizenship and Immigration Canada| year=2006| month=September| accessdate=2007-03-01--> Because of Crime in Toronto,{{cite web| url=http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/050721/d050721a.htm| title=Crime statistics| author=Statistics Canada, The Daily| date=2006-07-21{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/10/04/eui.survey/index.html| title=Vancouver is 'best city to live'| publisher=[CNN| accessdate=2007-03-05--> and the Mercer Quality of Living Survey.{{cite web| url=http://www.mercerhr.com/attachment.dyn?idContent=1216315&filePath=/attachments/English/QOL_Survey2006_table.pdf| title=Mercer 2006 Quality of Living Survey| author=Mercer Human Resource Consulting| year=2006| month=| accessdate=2007-03-05--> In addition, Toronto was ranked as the most expensive Canadian city in which to live [as of 2006.

Residents of Toronto are called List of people from Toronto. Toronto has a number of Sister cities of Toronto, which are selected based on economic, cultural and political criteria.

History When Europeans first arrived at the site of present-day Toronto, the vicinity was inhabited by the Huron tribes, who by then had displaced the Iroquois tribes that occupied the region for centuries before c. 1500. The name Toronto is likely derived from the Iroquois word tkaronto, meaning "place where trees stand in the water". It refers to the northern end of what is now Lake Simcoe, where the Huron had planted tree saplings to corral fish. A portage route from Lake Ontario to Lake Huron running through this point, the Toronto Carrying-Place Trail, led to widespread use of the name



France traders founded Fort Rouillé on the current Exhibition Place in 1750, but abandoned it in 1759. Fort Rouillé, Jarvis Collegiate Institute (2006). Retrieved on 2006-December 8. During the American Revolutionary War, the region saw an influx of British Empire settlers as United Empire Loyalists fled for the unsettled lands north of Lake Ontario. In 1787, the British negotiated the Toronto Purchase with the Mississaugas of New Credit 40a, Ontario, thereby securing more than a quarter million acres (1000 km²) of land in the Toronto area. Natives and newcomers, 1600-1793, City of Toronto (2006). Retrieved on 2006-December 8.

In 1793, Governor John Graves Simcoe established the town of York, Upper Canada on the existing settlement, naming it after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. Simcoe chose the town to replace Niagara-on-the-Lake as the capital of Upper Canada, believing the new site would be less vulnerable to attack by the United States. Fort York was constructed at the entrance of the town's natural harbour, sheltered by a long sand-bar peninsula. The town's settlement formed at the eastern end of the harbour behind the peninsula, near the present-day Parliament Street and Front Street (Toronto).

In 1813, as part of the War of 1812, the Battle of York ended in the town's capture and plunder by American forces. Battle of York Retrieved on 2007-07-10. The surrender of the town was negotiated by John Strachan. American soldiers destroyed much of Fort York and set fire on the parliament buildings during their five-day occupation.

York was incorporated as the City of Toronto on March 6, 1834, reverting to its original native name. The population of only 9,000 included escaped African-American slaves fleeing Black Codes in the USA in some states, City of Toronto, Black History, City of Toronto (2002). Retrieved on 2007-07-07. as slavery had been banned outright in Upper Canada by 1806. Reformist politician William Lyon Mackenzie became the first Mayor of Toronto, and led the unsuccessful Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837 against the British colonial government. The city grew rapidly through the remainder of the 19th century, as a major destination for immigrants to Canada. The first significant population influx occurred with the Great Irish Famine between 1846 and 1849 that brought a large number of Irish diaspora into the city, some of them transient and most of them Roman Catholic Church. By 1851, the Irish-born population had become the largest single ethnic group in the city. Smaller numbers of Protestant Irish immigrants were welcomed by the existing Scottish and English population, giving the Orange Order significant influence over Toronto society.

Toronto was twice for brief periods the capital of the united Province of Canada first from 1849-1852, following unrest in Montreal, and later 1856-1858 after which Quebec became capital until 1866 (one year prior to Canadian Confederation); since then, the capital has been Ottawa, Ontario. http://www.statoids.com/uca.html Retrieved on 2007-07-10. As it had been for Upper Canada from 1793, Toronto became the capital of the province of Ontario after its official creation in 1867 and has remained so since with the Ontario Legislature located at Queen's Park, Toronto. Because of its capital status, the city was also the location of Government House (Ontario), the residence of the Viceroy representative of the Monarchy in Canada.

from Old City Hall, 1920.

In the 19th century, an extensive sewage system was built, and streets became illuminated with gas lighting as a regular service. Long-distance railway lines were constructed, including a route completed in 1854 linking Toronto with the Upper Great Lakes. The Grand Trunk Railway and the Great Northern Railway (U.S.) joined in the building of the first Old Union Station (Toronto) in downtown. The advent of the railway dramatically increased the numbers of immigrants arriving and commerce, as had the Lake Ontario steamers and schooners entering the port and enabled Toronto to become a major gateway linking the world to the interior of the North American continent. Horse-drawn streetcars gave way to electric streetcars in 1891, when the city granted the operation of the transit franchise to the Toronto Railway Company. The public transit system passed into public ownership in 1921 as the Toronto Transportation Commission, later renamed the Toronto Transit Commission. The system now has the third-highest ridership of any city public transportation system in North America. Toronto transit chief says searches unlikely (2005). Retrieved on 2007-February 3.

In 1954, the City of Toronto was federated into a regional municipality known as Metropolitan Toronto. Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Act, Government of Ontario (2000). Retrieved on 2006-December 29. The postwar boom had resulted in rapid suburban development, and it was believed that a coordinated land use strategy and shared services would provide greater efficiency for the region. The metropolitan government began to manage services that crossed municipal boundaries, including highways, water and public transit. In 1967, the seven smallest municipalities of the region were merged into their larger neighbours, resulting in a six-municipality configuration that included the old Old Toronto, Ontario and the surrounding municipalities of East York, Ontario, Etobicoke, Ontario, North York, Ontario, Scarborough, Ontario and York, Ontario. In 1998, the metropolitan government was dissolved and the six municipalities were amalgamation (politics) into a single municipality, creating the current City of Toronto, where David Miller (Canadian politician) is the current Mayor.

The 1904 Toronto fire destroyed a large section of downtown Toronto, but the city was quickly rebuilt. The fire had cost more than $10 million in damage, and led to more stringent fire safety laws and the expansion of the city's fire department.



The city received new immigrant groups beginning in the late 19th century into early 20th century, particularly German people, Italian people, and Jews from various parts of Eastern Europe. They were soon followed by Chinese people, Russian people, Poles and immigrants from other Eastern European nations, as the Irish people before them, many of these new migrants lived in overcrowded shanty type slums, such as the "the Ward" which was between Bay Street, now the heart of the country finances and the MaRS Discovery District, considered one of the world's most advanced medical research zones. Despite its fast paced growth, by the 1920s, Toronto's population and economic importance in Canada remained second to the much longer established Montreal. However, by 1934 the Toronto Stock Exchange had become the largest in the country.

Following the World War II, refugees from war-torn poor Europe and Chinese people who wanted jobs arrived as did construction labourers particularly from Italy and Portugal. Following elimination of racially based immigration policies by the late 1960s, immigration began from all parts of the world. Toronto's population grew to more than one million in 1951 when large-scale suburbanization began, and doubled to two million by 1971. By the 1980s, Toronto had surpassed Montreal as Canada's most populous city and the chief economic hub. During this time, in part due to the political uncertainty raised by the resurgence of the Quebec sovereignty movement, many national and multinational corporations moved their head offices from Montreal to Toronto and other western Canadian cities. Westward ho? The shifting geography of corporate power in Canada, Journal of Canadian Studies (2002). Retrieved on 2007-January 14.

Geography 's Landsat 7 satellite from 1985. Yonge Street can clearly be seen bisecting the city just right of centre in the image, the other prominent road, running east-west, is Highway 401.Toronto covers an area of 630 square kilometres (243 square mile), Population statistics and land area, Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on 2006-December 5. with a maximum north-south distance of 21 kilometres (13 mi) and a maximum east-west distance of 43 kilometres (27 mi). It has a 46 kilometre (29 mi) long Toronto waterfront shoreline. Its borders are bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, Etobicoke Creek and Highway 427 (Ontario) to the west, Steeles Avenue to the north and the Rouge River (Ontario) to the east.

Topography The city is intersected by two rivers and numerous tributaries: the Humber River (Toronto) in the west end and the Don River (Toronto) east of downtown at opposite ends of the Toronto Harbour. The harbour was naturally created by sediment build-up from lake currents that created the Toronto Islands. The many creeks and rivers cutting from north toward the lake created large tracts of densely-forested Toronto ravine system, and provide ideal sites for parks and recreational trails. However, the ravines also interfere with the city's grid plan, and this results in major thoroughfares such as Finch Avenue, Leslie Street, Lawrence Avenue, St. Clair Avenue and Keele Street terminating on one side of ravines and continuing on the other side. Other thoroughfares such as the Prince Edward Viaduct are required to span above the ravines. These deep ravines prove useful for draining the city's vast storm sewer system during heavy rains but some sections, particularly near the Don River are prone to sudden, heavy floods. Storage tanks at waste treatment facilities will often receive too much river discharge causing them to overflow, allowing untreated sewage to escape into Lake Ontario closing local beaches for swimming.

During the last ice age, the lower part of Toronto was beneath Glacial Lake Iroquois. Today, a series of escarpments mark the lake's former boundary, known as the Iroquois Shoreline. The escarpments are most prominent from Victoria Park Avenue to the mouth of Highland Creek, where they form the Scarborough Bluffs. Other noticeable sections include the area near St. Clair Avenue West between Bathurst Street and the Don River, and north of Davenport Road from Caledonia to Spadina Avenue, the Casa Loma grounds sit above this escarpment. Although not remarkably hilly, Toronto does have elevation differences ranging from 75 metres (246 ft) above-sea-level at the Lake Ontario shore to 270 metres (886 ft) ASL near the York University grounds in the city's north end.

Much of the current lakeshore land area fronting the Toronto Harbour is actually artificial landfill. In the mid-19th century the lakefront was set back up to a kilometre (0.6 mi) further inland than it is today. Much of the Toronto harbour (the quays, formerly known as wharves) and adjacent Portlands are also fill. The Toronto Islands were actually a landspit until a storm in 1858 severed its connection to the mainland, creating a channel later used by shipping interests to access the docks.

, in Toronto's west end. and University Avenue (Toronto).

Climate Toronto's climate is moderate for Canada due to its southerly location within the country and its proximity to Lake Ontario. It has a humid continental climate (Koppen climate classification Dfa), with warm, humid summers and generally cold winters, although fairly mild by Canadian and many northern continental United States standards. The city experiences four distinct seasons with considerable variance in day to day temperature, particularly during the colder weather season. Due to urbanization and proximity to water Toronto has a fairly low diurnal temperature range, at least in built-up city and lakeshore areas. At different times of the year, this maritime influence has various localized and regional impacts on the climate, including lake effect snow and delaying the onset of spring and fall like conditions.

Toronto winters sometimes feature short cold snaps where maximum temperatures remain below −10 °C (14 °F), often made to feel colder by windchill. Snowstorms, sometimes mixed with ice and rain can disrupt work and travel schedules, accumulating snow can fall anytime from November until mid-April. However, mild stretches also occur throughout winter melting accumulated snow, with temperatures reaching into the 5 to 14 °C (40 to 57 °F) range and infrequently higher. Summer in Toronto is characterized by long stretches of humid weather. Daytime temperatures occasionally surpass 35 °C (95 °F), with high humidity making it feel oppressive during usually brief periods of hot weather. Spring and Autumn are transitional seasons with generally mild or cool temperatures with alternating dry and wet periods.

Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, but summer is usually the wettest season, the bulk falling during thunderstorms. There can be periods of dry weather, but drought-like conditions are rare. The average yearly precipitation is 83 centimetres (33 in), with an average annual snowfall of about 133 centimetres (52 in). Toronto experiences an average of 2,038 sunshine hours or 44% of possible, most of it during the warmer weather season. Canadian climate normals for 1971 to 2000, Environment Canada (2004). Retrieved on 2006-December 17.

{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"! colspan= "15" style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | Toronto Climatological Data|-! colspan= "15" style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Temperature|-! style="background: #DDDDDD;" height="16" | Month! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jan! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Feb! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Mar! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Apr! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | May! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jun! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jul! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Aug! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Sep! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Oct! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Nov! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Dec! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | ! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Mean|-! height="16;" |Record high °C (°F)| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 16 (61)| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 14 (58)| style="background: #D78B27; color: black;" | 27 (80)| style="background: #E78D17; color: black;" | 32 (90)| style="background: #EF8F0F; color: black;" | 34 (94)| style="background: #F5930A; color: black;" | 37 (98)| style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 41 (105)| style="background: #FA9605; color: black;" | 39 (102)| style="background: #FA9605; color: black;" | 38 (100)| style="background: #E78D17; color: black;" | 30 (86)| style="background: #CF8A2F; color: black;" | 24 (75)| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 20 (68)| | |-! height="16;" |Average high °C (°F)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -1 (30)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -0.2 (32)| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 5 (40)| style="background: #A78557; color: black;" | 11 (52)| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 19 (65)| style="background: #CF8A2F; color: black;" | 24 (74)| style="background: #D78B27; color: black;" | 26 (80)| style="background: #D78B27; color: black;" | 25 (78)| style="background: #C78937; color: black;" | 21 (69)| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 14 (57)| style="background: #978367; color: black;" | 7 (45)| style="background: #878177; color: black;" | 2 (35)| | style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 13 (55)|-! height="16;" |Mean °C (°F)| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -4 (24)| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -3 (26)| style="background: #878177; color: black;" | 1 (34)| style="background: #9F845F; color: black;" | 8 (46)| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 14 (58)| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 19 (67)| style="background: #C78937; color: black;" | 22 (72)| style="background: #C78937; color: black;" | 21 (70)| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 17 (63)| style="background: #A78557; color: black;" | 11 (51)| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 5 (41)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -1 (30)| | style="background: #9F845F; color: black;" | 9 (49)|-! height="16;" |Average low °C (°F)| style="background: #677B97; color: black;" | -7 (19)| style="background: #677B97; color: black;" | -6 (21)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -2 (28)| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 4 (39)| style="background: #9F845F; color: black;" | 10 (50)| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 15 (59)| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 18 (64)| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 17 (63)| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 13 (56)| style="background: #978367; color: black;" | 7 (45)| style="background: #878177; color: black;" | 2 (36)| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -4 (25)| | style="background: #978367; color: black;" | 6 (42)|-! height="16;" |Record low °C (°F)| style="background: #0F6FEF; color: black;" | -33 (-27)| style="background: #1771E7; color: black;" | -32 (-25)| style="background: #2773D7; color: black;" | -27 (-16)| style="background: #4777B7; color: black;" | -15 (5)| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -4 (25)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -2 (28)| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 4 (39)| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 4 (40)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -2 (28)| style="background: #5F7A9F; color: black;" | -9 (16)| style="background: #3775C7; color: black;" | -21 (-5)| style="background: #1771E7; color: black;" | -30 (-22)| | |-! colspan= "15" style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Precipitation and Sunshine Hours|-! style="background: #DDDDDD;" height="16" | Month! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jan! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Feb! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Mar! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Apr! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | May! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jun! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jul! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Aug! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Sep! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Oct! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Nov! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Dec! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | ! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Total|-! height="16;" |Total mm (in)| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 61 (2.4)| style="background: #789EB5; color: black;" | 51 (2.0)| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 66 (2.6)| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 70 (2.7)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 73 (2.9)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 72 (2.8)| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 68 (2.7)| style="background: #6098B5; color: black;" | 80 (3.1)| style="background: #5C97B5; color: black;" | 83 (3.3)| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 65 (2.6)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 76 (3.0)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 71 (2.8)| | style="background: #3086B5; color: black;" | 834 (32.8)|-! height="16;" |Rainfall mm (in)| style="background: #84A1B5; color: black;" | 29 (1.2)| style="background: #84A1B5; color: black;" | 26 (1.0)| style="background: #7C9FB5; color: black;" | 42 (1.7)| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 63 (2.5)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 73 (2.9)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 72 (2.8)| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 68 (2.7)| style="background: #6098B5; color: black;" | 80 (3.1)| style="background: #5C97B5; color: black;" | 83 (3.3)| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 65 (2.6)| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 67 (2.7)| style="background: #7C9FB5; color: black;" | 42 (1.7)| | style="background: #4090B5; color: black;" | 710 (27.9)|-! height="16;" |Snowfall cm (in)| style="background: #B5B5B5; color: black;" | 38 (15.0)| style="background: #A5A5A5; color: black;" | 27 (10.5)| style="background: #A3A3A3; color: black;" | 22 (8.7)| style="background: #8A8A8A; color: black;" | 6 (2.4)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0(0)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0(0)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0(0)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0(0)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0(0)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0.1 (0.04)| style="background: #8E8E8E; color: black;" | 8 (3.2)| style="background: #AAAAAA; color: black;" | 32 (12.7)| | style="background: #BABABA; color: black;" | 133 (52)|-! height="16;" |Sunshine hours| style="background: #E2CF70; color: black;" | 88| style="background: #E4CF68; color: black;" | 110| style="background: #E9D154; color: black;" | 156| style="background: #ECD148; color: black;" | 185| style="background: #F1D238; color: black;" | 229| style="background: #F4D32C; color: black;" | 256| style="background: #F5D328; color: black;" | 276| style="background: #E8D058; color: black;" | 241| style="background: #ECD148; color: black;" | 188| style="background: #E8D058; color: black;" | 148| style="background: #E2CF70; color: black;" | 84| style="background: #E1CF74; color: black;" | 75| | style="background: #F1D238; color: black;" | 2038|-! colspan= "15" style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Data recorded at The Annex by Environment Canada. Data spans 1971 to 2000.|}

Cityscape

Architecture and Toronto's Cultural Renaissance

viewed from Rogers Centre.

Defining the Toronto skyline is the CN Tower. At a height of 553.33 metres (1,815 ft, 5 in) it is the world's second tallest Dubai building surpasses CN Tower in height, CTV Television Network (2007). Retrieved on 2007-September 13. freestanding structure, an important telecommunications hub, and a centre of tourism in Toronto.

Toronto is a city of high-rises, having over 2000 buildings over 90 metres (300 ft) in height, second only to New York (which has over 5,000 such buildings) in North America. Most of these buildings are residential (either rental or condominium, where as the Central business district contains the taller commercial office towers). There has been recent media attention given for the need to retrofit many of these buildings, which were constructed beginning in the 1950s as residential apartment blocks to accommodate a quickly growing population. Many of the older buildings are shown to give off high concentrations of CO2 and are thought to be a significant contributor to the urban heat island effect, in addition to the aesthetic concerns as many of the buildings are viewed by many as urban blights often surrounded by limited landscaping and concrete parking lots without integration with the surrounding neighbourhoods.

In contrast, Toronto has also begun to experience an architectural overhaul within the past 5 years. The Royal Ontario Museum, Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Art Gallery of Ontario are just some of the many public art buildings that have undergone massive renovations. The historic Distillery District, located on the eastern edge of downtown, is North America's largest and best preserved collection of Victorian era industrial architecture. It has been redeveloped into a pedestrian-oriented arts, culture and entertainment neighbourhood. Modern glass and steel highrises have begun to transform the majority of the downtown area as the condominium market has exploded and triggered widespread construction throughout the city's centre. Trump International Hotel and Tower (Toronto), Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts are just some of the many high rise luxury condominium-hotel projects currently under construction in the downtown core.

in the Manulife Centre. Lake Ontario can be seen in the distance.

Neighbourhoods in urban Toronto.

The many residential communities of Toronto express a character distinct from that of the skyscrapers in the commercial core. Victorian era and Edwardian-era residential buildings can be found in enclaves such as Rosedale, Toronto, Forest Hill, Toronto, Cabbagetown, Toronto, the Annex, the Bridle Path and Moore Park, Toronto.

Wychwood Park is historically significant for the architecture of its homes, and for being one of Toronto's earliest planned communities. The Wychwood Park neighbourhood was designated as an Ontario Heritage Conservation district in 1985. The Casa Loma (neighbourhood) neighbourhood is named after Casa Loma, a castle built in 1911 that had an elevator, secret passages, and bowling alleys. Spadina House is a 19th century manor house that is now a museum.

The City of Toronto encompasses a geographical area formerly administered by six separate municipalities. These municipalities have each developed a distinct history and identity over the years, and their names remain in common use among Torontonians. Throughout the city there exist hundreds of small neighbourhoods and some larger neighbourhoods covering a few square kilometers. Former Municipalities include East York, Ontario, Etobicoke, Ontario, North York, Ontario, Old Toronto, Ontario, Scarborough, Ontario, and York, Ontario.

.

Old Toronto The Old Toronto, Ontario covers the area generally known as Downtown Toronto. It is the historic core of Toronto and remains the most densely-populated part of the city. The Financial District along Bay Street contains the largest cluster of skyscrapers in Canada, including the First Canadian Place, Toronto Dominion Centre, Scotia Plaza, Royal Bank Plaza, Commerce Court and Brookfield Place. From that point, the Toronto skyline extends northward along Yonge Street. Old Toronto is also home to many historically wealthy residential enclaves, such as Yorkville, Toronto, Rosedale, Toronto, The Annex, Forest Hill, Toronto, Lawrence Park, Toronto, Lytton Park, Moore Park, Toronto, and Casa Loma - Neighbourhood, most stretching away from downtown to the north. These neighbourhoods generally feature upscale homes, luxury condominiums and high-end retail. At the same time, the downtown core vicinity includes neighbourhoods with a high proportion of recent immigrants and low-income families living in social housing and rental high-rises, such as St. James Town, Regent Park, Moss Park, Alexandra Park and Parkdale, Toronto. East and west of Downtown, neighbourhoods such as Kensington Market, Leslieville, Cabbagetown and Riverdale, Toronto are home to bustling commercial and cultural areas as well as vibrant communities of artists with studio lofts, with an increasing proportion of middle and upper class professionals that mix with the working poor or those on some form of government assistance. Other neighbourhoods in the central city retain an ethnic identity, including two Chinatown, Toronto, the popular Greektown, Toronto area, the very trendy Little Italy, Toronto, Portugal Village, Toronto, and Gerrard Street, Toronto along with others.

Inner suburbs penthouse facing west.

The inner suburbs are contained within the former municipalities of York, Ontario and East York, Ontario. These are mature and traditionally working class areas, primarily consisting of post-World War I small, single-family homes and small apartment blocks. Neighbourhoods such as Crescent Town, Thorncliffe Park, Weston, Toronto, and Oakwood-Vaughan consist of mainly high-rise apartments which are home to many new immigrant families. Recently, many neighbourhoods have become ethnically diverse and have undergone gentrification, as a result of increasing population and a housing boom during the late 1990s and 2000s. The first neighbourhoods affected were Leaside and North Toronto, gradually progressing into the western neighbourhoods in York. Some of the area's housing is in the process of being replaced or remodelled.

Outer suburbs The outer suburbs comprising the former municipalities of Etobicoke, Ontario, Scarborough, Ontario and North York, Ontario largely retain the grid plan laid before post-war development. Sections were long established and quickly growing towns before the suburban housing boom began and the advent of Metro Government, such as Mimico, Ontario, Newtonbrook, Ontario and West Hill, Ontario. Suburban development grew quickly after the second war to include such upscale neighbourhoods as the Bridle Path, Toronto in North York, the area surrounding the Scarborough Bluffs in Guildwood, and most of central Etobicoke, such as Humber Valley Village, and The Kingsway. One of largest and earliest "planned communities" was Don Mills, Ontario, parts of which were first built in the 1950s."Plan town of 45,000 on Don Mills farms; Will cost $200,000,000," Paul L. Fox, Toronto Star, March 12 1953, p. 3. Retrieved on 2007-May 2. Phased development mixing single-detached housing with higher density apartment blocks became more popular as a suburban model of development. To some this model has been copied in other GTA municipalities surrounding Toronto, albeit with less population density. More recently, North York Centre that runs along Yonge Street and the Scarborough City Centre have emerged as secondary business districts outside the downtown core. High-rise development in these areas have given North York and Scarborough distinguishable skylines of their own and a more downtown feel with high-density transit corridors serving them.

Industrial One of Toronto's most unique neighbourhoods, the Distillery District contains the largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian architecture industrial architecture in North America. A national heritage site, it was listed by National Geographic magazine as a "top pick" in Canada for travellers. Large tracts of industrial land still exist particularly in Scarborough and Etobicoke, although not to the extent that they once did.

Public spaces

Nathan Phillips Square, a city square that forms the south entrance to Toronto City Hall, is also undergoing a major redesign by PLANT Architect Inc., Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners, Peter Lindsay Schaudt Landscape Architecture Inc., and Adrian Blackwell (winners of the International Design Competition in 2006/2007).

West 8, a Dutch architecture firm, won the Central Waterfront Innovative Design Competition in 2006 to provide a new look for the central part of the Toronto waterfront.{{cite web]| accessdate = 2007-03-18-->{{cite web| url = http://www.dtah.com/waterfront/| title = The Multiple Waterfront| author = du Toit Allsopp Hiller| accessdate = 2007-03-18-->

In the summer of 1999, Downsview Park initiated an international design competition to realize its vision of creating Canada's first national urban park. In May 2000, the winning park design was announced: "TREE CITY", by the team of Bruce Mau Design, Office for Metropolitan Architecture, Oleson Worland Architect and Inside/Outside.

Culture , home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Toronto is a major scene for theatre and other performing arts, with more than fifty ballet and dance companies, six opera companies, and two symphony orchestras. The city is home to the National Ballet of Canada, the Canadian Opera Company, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Notable performance venues include the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Roy Thomson Hall, the Princess of Wales Theatre, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Massey Hall, the Toronto Centre for the Arts, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres and the Hummingbird Centre (formerly the "O'Keefe Centre").Ontario Place features the world's first permanent IMAX movie theatre, the Cinesphere, The World's First Permanent IMAX Theatre Retrieved on 2007-May 2. as well as the Molson Amphitheatre, an open-air venue for large-scale music concerts. Each summer, the Canadian Stage Company presents an outdoor Shakespeare production in Toronto’s High Park called "Dream in High Park". Canada's Walk of Fame acknowledges the achievements of successful Canadians, with of a series of stars on designated blocks of sidewalks along King Street and Simcoe Street., housed in a former bank erected in 1885, is located at the intersection of Front Street and Yonge Street in Downtown Toronto.The Distillery District is a pedestrian village containing boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, artist studios and small breweries, including the well-known Mill Street Brewery. A new theatre in the district, the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, is the home of the Soulpepper Theatre Company and the drama productions of nearby George Brown College.

The production of domestic and foreign film and television is a major local industry. Many movie releases are screened in Toronto prior to wider release in North America. The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the most {{Infobox City|official_name = City of Toronto|nickname = Toronto's name|motto = Diversity Our Strength|image_skyline = Toronto skyline edit.jpg|image_flag = Toronto_Flag.svg|flag_link = Flag of Toronto|flag_size = 125px|image_shield = Toronto_Coat_of_Arms.jpg|shield_link = Coat of arms of Toronto|shield_size = 85px|image_map = Toronto_Location_in_Ontario.png|map_caption = Location of Toronto and its census metropolitan area in the province of Ontario|subdivision_name = [Canada|subdivision_name1 = [Ontario|leader_name = [David Miller (mayor of Toronto)|leader_title1 = Council|leader_name1 = Toronto City Council|leader_name2 ={{Collapsible list|title = List of MPs|frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;|title_style =|list_style = text-align:left;display:none;|1=[Carolyn Bennett|3=[Olivia Chow|5=[Ken Dryden|7=[Michael Ignatieff|9=[Jack Layton|11=[John McKay (politician)|12=Dan McTeague|14=[Peggy Nash|16=[Yasmin Ratansi|18=[Mario Silva|20=[Joe Volpe|22=[Borys Wrzesnewskyj|leader_name3 ={{Collapsible list|title = List of MPPs|frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;|title_style = |list_style = text-align:left;display:none;|1=[Bas Balkissoon|3=[Laurel Broten|5=[Donna Cansfield|7=[Mary Anne Chambers|9=[Paul Ferreira|11=[Brad Duguid|13=[Rosario Marchese|15=[Michael Prue|17=[Tony Ruprecht|19=[George Smitherman|21=[Kathleen Wynne-->|established_title = Established|established_date = [August 27, 1793|established_date2 = [March 6, 1834|established_date3 = [January 1, 1998, 2006 Census of Population| date = [2007-03-13| work = [Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population]|utc_offset = -5|timezone_DST = Eastern Daylight Time|utc_offset_DST = -4|postal_code_type = Postal code span|postal_code = List of M Postal Codes of Canada|area_code = Area code 416/647|website = toronto.ca|latd=43 |latm=39 |lats= |latNS=N|longd=79 |longm=23 |longs= |longEW=W-->Toronto (, local pronunciation ) is the List of the 100 largest municipalities in Canada by population in Canada Canada, Greenwich Mean Time. Retrieved on 2007-07-08. and is the Provinces and territories of Canada Provincial and territorial capitals of Canada of Ontario, making it the Seat (legal entity) of the Monarchy in Ontario. It is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. Toronto, Ontario, Canada, North America Retrieved on 2007-July 8. With over 2.5 million residents, it is the fifth-most populous municipality in North America.{{cite web], 2007--> Toronto is at the heart of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and is part of a densely-populated region in south-central Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe which is home to over eight million residents.Total population of the Greater Toronto Area comprises the regional municipalities of Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario (561,258), Regional Municipality of Halton, Ontario (439,256), Regional Municipality of Peel, Ontario (1,159,405) and Regional Municipality of York, Ontario (892,712). These population figures are taken from {{cite web| url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=702&PR=35&SR=1&S=3&O=D| title = Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census divisions, 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data| publisher = Statistics Canada| accessdate = 2007-03-18-->The fact that these municipalities form the GTA is stated in {{cite web| url = http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/economy/demographics/projections/2006/index.html| title = Ontario Population Projections Update, 2005-2031 Ontario and Its 49 Census Divisions| publisher = [Ministry of Finance (Ontario), Government of Ontario| year = 2006| month = April| accessdate = 2007-03-18| quote = The Greater Toronto Area (GTA), comprised of the City of Toronto and the regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel and York, ...-->{{cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/analysis/popdwell/subprov4.cfm#ggh|title=Portrait of the Canadian Population in 2006: Subprovincial population dynamics, Greater Golden Horseshoe|work=Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population]|accessdate=2007-03-13--> The census metropolitan area (CMA) had a population of 5,113,149, and the Greater Toronto Area had a population of 5,555,912 at the Canada 2006 Census.

As Canada's economic capital, Toronto is considered a global city." What makes a global city?", Toronto Star (2004). Retrieved on 2007-07-08. Toronto's leading economic sectors include finance, business services, telecommunications, aerospace, transportation, mass media, arts, film, television production, publishing, computer software, medical research, education, tourism and sports industries. City of Toronto (2007) - Toronto economic overview, Key industry clusters and A Diversified Economy. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.{{cite web], the world's sixth largest, is headquartered in the city, along with a majority of Canada's corporations.

Toronto's population is cosmopolitan and international,{{cite book| last = Flew | first = Janine | authorlink = | coauthors = Humphries, Lynn ; Press, Limelight ; McPhee, Margaret | title = The Children's Visual World Atlas | publisher = Fog City Press | date = 2004 | location = [Sydney, Australia | pages = 76 | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 1 740893 17 4 -->{{cite web | url = http://allabout-toronto.com/| title = City of Toronto, Ontario| publisher =| date =| accessdate = 2007-07-06--> which reflects its role as an important destination for Immigration to Canada{{cite web| url=http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/policy/fed-prov/can-ont-toronto-mou.html| title=Canada-Ontario-Toronto Memorandum of Understanding on Immigration and Settlement (electronic version)| author=Citizenship and Immigration Canada| year=2006| month=September| accessdate=2007-03-01-->. Toronto is one of the world's most diverse cities, as about 49 percent of the population were born outside of Canada.{{cite web| url=http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/policy/fed-prov/can-ont-toronto-mou.html| title=Canada-Ontario-Toronto Memorandum of Understanding on Immigration and Settlement (electronic version)| author=Citizenship and Immigration Canada| year=2006| month=September| accessdate=2007-03-01--> Because of Crime in Toronto,{{cite web| url=http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/050721/d050721a.htm| title=Crime statistics| author=Statistics Canada, The Daily| date=2006-07-21{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/10/04/eui.survey/index.html| title=Vancouver is 'best city to live'| publisher=[CNN| accessdate=2007-03-05--> and the Mercer Quality of Living Survey.{{cite web| url=http://www.mercerhr.com/attachment.dyn?idContent=1216315&filePath=/attachments/English/QOL_Survey2006_table.pdf| title=Mercer 2006 Quality of Living Survey| author=Mercer Human Resource Consulting| year=2006| month=| accessdate=2007-03-05--> In addition, Toronto was ranked as the most expensive Canadian city in which to live [as of 2006.

Residents of Toronto are called List of people from Toronto. Toronto has a number of Sister cities of Toronto, which are selected based on economic, cultural and political criteria.

History When Europeans first arrived at the site of present-day Toronto, the vicinity was inhabited by the Huron tribes, who by then had displaced the Iroquois tribes that occupied the region for centuries before c. 1500. The name Toronto is likely derived from the Iroquois word tkaronto, meaning "place where trees stand in the water". It refers to the northern end of what is now Lake Simcoe, where the Huron had planted tree saplings to corral fish. A portage route from Lake Ontario to Lake Huron running through this point, the Toronto Carrying-Place Trail, led to widespread use of the name



France traders founded Fort Rouillé on the current Exhibition Place in 1750, but abandoned it in 1759. Fort Rouillé, Jarvis Collegiate Institute (2006). Retrieved on 2006-December 8. During the American Revolutionary War, the region saw an influx of British Empire settlers as United Empire Loyalists fled for the unsettled lands north of Lake Ontario. In 1787, the British negotiated the Toronto Purchase with the Mississaugas of New Credit 40a, Ontario, thereby securing more than a quarter million acres (1000 km²) of land in the Toronto area. Natives and newcomers, 1600-1793, City of Toronto (2006). Retrieved on 2006-December 8.

In 1793, Governor John Graves Simcoe established the town of York, Upper Canada on the existing settlement, naming it after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. Simcoe chose the town to replace Niagara-on-the-Lake as the capital of Upper Canada, believing the new site would be less vulnerable to attack by the United States. Fort York was constructed at the entrance of the town's natural harbour, sheltered by a long sand-bar peninsula. The town's settlement formed at the eastern end of the harbour behind the peninsula, near the present-day Parliament Street and Front Street (Toronto).

In 1813, as part of the War of 1812, the Battle of York ended in the town's capture and plunder by American forces. Battle of York Retrieved on 2007-07-10. The surrender of the town was negotiated by John Strachan. American soldiers destroyed much of Fort York and set fire on the parliament buildings during their five-day occupation.

York was incorporated as the City of Toronto on March 6, 1834, reverting to its original native name. The population of only 9,000 included escaped African-American slaves fleeing Black Codes in the USA in some states, City of Toronto, Black History, City of Toronto (2002). Retrieved on 2007-07-07. as slavery had been banned outright in Upper Canada by 1806. Reformist politician William Lyon Mackenzie became the first Mayor of Toronto, and led the unsuccessful Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837 against the British colonial government. The city grew rapidly through the remainder of the 19th century, as a major destination for immigrants to Canada. The first significant population influx occurred with the Great Irish Famine between 1846 and 1849 that brought a large number of Irish diaspora into the city, some of them transient and most of them Roman Catholic Church. By 1851, the Irish-born population had become the largest single ethnic group in the city. Smaller numbers of Protestant Irish immigrants were welcomed by the existing Scottish and English population, giving the Orange Order significant influence over Toronto society.

Toronto was twice for brief periods the capital of the united Province of Canada first from 1849-1852, following unrest in Montreal, and later 1856-1858 after which Quebec became capital until 1866 (one year prior to Canadian Confederation); since then, the capital has been Ottawa, Ontario. http://www.statoids.com/uca.html Retrieved on 2007-07-10. As it had been for Upper Canada from 1793, Toronto became the capital of the province of Ontario after its official creation in 1867 and has remained so since with the Ontario Legislature located at Queen's Park, Toronto. Because of its capital status, the city was also the location of Government House (Ontario), the residence of the Viceroy representative of the Monarchy in Canada.

from Old City Hall, 1920.

In the 19th century, an extensive sewage system was built, and streets became illuminated with gas lighting as a regular service. Long-distance railway lines were constructed, including a route completed in 1854 linking Toronto with the Upper Great Lakes. The Grand Trunk Railway and the Great Northern Railway (U.S.) joined in the building of the first Old Union Station (Toronto) in downtown. The advent of the railway dramatically increased the numbers of immigrants arriving and commerce, as had the Lake Ontario steamers and schooners entering the port and enabled Toronto to become a major gateway linking the world to the interior of the North American continent. Horse-drawn streetcars gave way to electric streetcars in 1891, when the city granted the operation of the transit franchise to the Toronto Railway Company. The public transit system passed into public ownership in 1921 as the Toronto Transportation Commission, later renamed the Toronto Transit Commission. The system now has the third-highest ridership of any city public transportation system in North America. Toronto transit chief says searches unlikely (2005). Retrieved on 2007-February 3.

In 1954, the City of Toronto was federated into a regional municipality known as Metropolitan Toronto. Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Act, Government of Ontario (2000). Retrieved on 2006-December 29. The postwar boom had resulted in rapid suburban development, and it was believed that a coordinated land use strategy and shared services would provide greater efficiency for the region. The metropolitan government began to manage services that crossed municipal boundaries, including highways, water and public transit. In 1967, the seven smallest municipalities of the region were merged into their larger neighbours, resulting in a six-municipality configuration that included the old Old Toronto, Ontario and the surrounding municipalities of East York, Ontario, Etobicoke, Ontario, North York, Ontario, Scarborough, Ontario and York, Ontario. In 1998, the metropolitan government was dissolved and the six municipalities were amalgamation (politics) into a single municipality, creating the current City of Toronto, where David Miller (Canadian politician) is the current Mayor.

The 1904 Toronto fire destroyed a large section of downtown Toronto, but the city was quickly rebuilt. The fire had cost more than $10 million in damage, and led to more stringent fire safety laws and the expansion of the city's fire department.



The city received new immigrant groups beginning in the late 19th century into early 20th century, particularly German people, Italian people, and Jews from various parts of Eastern Europe. They were soon followed by Chinese people, Russian people, Poles and immigrants from other Eastern European nations, as the Irish people before them, many of these new migrants lived in overcrowded shanty type slums, such as the "the Ward" which was between Bay Street, now the heart of the country finances and the MaRS Discovery District, considered one of the world's most advanced medical research zones. Despite its fast paced growth, by the 1920s, Toronto's population and economic importance in Canada remained second to the much longer established Montreal. However, by 1934 the Toronto Stock Exchange had become the largest in the country.

Following the World War II, refugees from war-torn poor Europe and Chinese people who wanted jobs arrived as did construction labourers particularly from Italy and Portugal. Following elimination of racially based immigration policies by the late 1960s, immigration began from all parts of the world. Toronto's population grew to more than one million in 1951 when large-scale suburbanization began, and doubled to two million by 1971. By the 1980s, Toronto had surpassed Montreal as Canada's most populous city and the chief economic hub. During this time, in part due to the political uncertainty raised by the resurgence of the Quebec sovereignty movement, many national and multinational corporations moved their head offices from Montreal to Toronto and other western Canadian cities. Westward ho? The shifting geography of corporate power in Canada, Journal of Canadian Studies (2002). Retrieved on 2007-January 14.

Geography 's Landsat 7 satellite from 1985. Yonge Street can clearly be seen bisecting the city just right of centre in the image, the other prominent road, running east-west, is Highway 401.Toronto covers an area of 630 square kilometres (243 square mile), Population statistics and land area, Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on 2006-December 5. with a maximum north-south distance of 21 kilometres (13 mi) and a maximum east-west distance of 43 kilometres (27 mi). It has a 46 kilometre (29 mi) long Toronto waterfront shoreline. Its borders are bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, Etobicoke Creek and Highway 427 (Ontario) to the west, Steeles Avenue to the north and the Rouge River (Ontario) to the east.

Topography The city is intersected by two rivers and numerous tributaries: the Humber River (Toronto) in the west end and the Don River (Toronto) east of downtown at opposite ends of the Toronto Harbour. The harbour was naturally created by sediment build-up from lake currents that created the Toronto Islands. The many creeks and rivers cutting from north toward the lake created large tracts of densely-forested Toronto ravine system, and provide ideal sites for parks and recreational trails. However, the ravines also interfere with the city's grid plan, and this results in major thoroughfares such as Finch Avenue, Leslie Street, Lawrence Avenue, St. Clair Avenue and Keele Street terminating on one side of ravines and continuing on the other side. Other thoroughfares such as the Prince Edward Viaduct are required to span above the ravines. These deep ravines prove useful for draining the city's vast storm sewer system during heavy rains but some sections, particularly near the Don River are prone to sudden, heavy floods. Storage tanks at waste treatment facilities will often receive too much river discharge causing them to overflow, allowing untreated sewage to escape into Lake Ontario closing local beaches for swimming.

During the last ice age, the lower part of Toronto was beneath Glacial Lake Iroquois. Today, a series of escarpments mark the lake's former boundary, known as the Iroquois Shoreline. The escarpments are most prominent from Victoria Park Avenue to the mouth of Highland Creek, where they form the Scarborough Bluffs. Other noticeable sections include the area near St. Clair Avenue West between Bathurst Street and the Don River, and north of Davenport Road from Caledonia to Spadina Avenue, the Casa Loma grounds sit above this escarpment. Although not remarkably hilly, Toronto does have elevation differences ranging from 75 metres (246 ft) above-sea-level at the Lake Ontario shore to 270 metres (886 ft) ASL near the York University grounds in the city's north end.

Much of the current lakeshore land area fronting the Toronto Harbour is actually artificial landfill. In the mid-19th century the lakefront was set back up to a kilometre (0.6 mi) further inland than it is today. Much of the Toronto harbour (the quays, formerly known as wharves) and adjacent Portlands are also fill. The Toronto Islands were actually a landspit until a storm in 1858 severed its connection to the mainland, creating a channel later used by shipping interests to access the docks.

, in Toronto's west end. and University Avenue (Toronto).

Climate Toronto's climate is moderate for Canada due to its southerly location within the country and its proximity to Lake Ontario. It has a humid continental climate (Koppen climate classification Dfa), with warm, humid summers and generally cold winters, although fairly mild by Canadian and many northern continental United States standards. The city experiences four distinct seasons with considerable variance in day to day temperature, particularly during the colder weather season. Due to urbanization and proximity to water Toronto has a fairly low diurnal temperature range, at least in built-up city and lakeshore areas. At different times of the year, this maritime influence has various localized and regional impacts on the climate, including lake effect snow and delaying the onset of spring and fall like conditions.

Toronto winters sometimes feature short cold snaps where maximum temperatures remain below −10 °C (14 °F), often made to feel colder by windchill. Snowstorms, sometimes mixed with ice and rain can disrupt work and travel schedules, accumulating snow can fall anytime from November until mid-April. However, mild stretches also occur throughout winter melting accumulated snow, with temperatures reaching into the 5 to 14 °C (40 to 57 °F) range and infrequently higher. Summer in Toronto is characterized by long stretches of humid weather. Daytime temperatures occasionally surpass 35 °C (95 °F), with high humidity making it feel oppressive during usually brief periods of hot weather. Spring and Autumn are transitional seasons with generally mild or cool temperatures with alternating dry and wet periods.

Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, but summer is usually the wettest season, the bulk falling during thunderstorms. There can be periods of dry weather, but drought-like conditions are rare. The average yearly precipitation is 83 centimetres (33 in), with an average annual snowfall of about 133 centimetres (52 in). Toronto experiences an average of 2,038 sunshine hours or 44% of possible, most of it during the warmer weather season. Canadian climate normals for 1971 to 2000, Environment Canada (2004). Retrieved on 2006-December 17.

{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"! colspan= "15" style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | Toronto Climatological Data|-! colspan= "15" style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Temperature|-! style="background: #DDDDDD;" height="16" | Month! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jan! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Feb! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Mar! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Apr! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | May! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jun! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jul! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Aug! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Sep! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Oct! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Nov! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Dec! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | ! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Mean|-! height="16;" |Record high °C (°F)| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 16 (61)| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 14 (58)| style="background: #D78B27; color: black;" | 27 (80)| style="background: #E78D17; color: black;" | 32 (90)| style="background: #EF8F0F; color: black;" | 34 (94)| style="background: #F5930A; color: black;" | 37 (98)| style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 41 (105)| style="background: #FA9605; color: black;" | 39 (102)| style="background: #FA9605; color: black;" | 38 (100)| style="background: #E78D17; color: black;" | 30 (86)| style="background: #CF8A2F; color: black;" | 24 (75)| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 20 (68)| | |-! height="16;" |Average high °C (°F)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -1 (30)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -0.2 (32)| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 5 (40)| style="background: #A78557; color: black;" | 11 (52)| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 19 (65)| style="background: #CF8A2F; color: black;" | 24 (74)| style="background: #D78B27; color: black;" | 26 (80)| style="background: #D78B27; color: black;" | 25 (78)| style="background: #C78937; color: black;" | 21 (69)| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 14 (57)| style="background: #978367; color: black;" | 7 (45)| style="background: #878177; color: black;" | 2 (35)| | style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 13 (55)|-! height="16;" |Mean °C (°F)| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -4 (24)| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -3 (26)| style="background: #878177; color: black;" | 1 (34)| style="background: #9F845F; color: black;" | 8 (46)| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 14 (58)| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 19 (67)| style="background: #C78937; color: black;" | 22 (72)| style="background: #C78937; color: black;" | 21 (70)| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 17 (63)| style="background: #A78557; color: black;" | 11 (51)| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 5 (41)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -1 (30)| | style="background: #9F845F; color: black;" | 9 (49)|-! height="16;" |Average low °C (°F)| style="background: #677B97; color: black;" | -7 (19)| style="background: #677B97; color: black;" | -6 (21)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -2 (28)| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 4 (39)| style="background: #9F845F; color: black;" | 10 (50)| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 15 (59)| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 18 (64)| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 17 (63)| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 13 (56)| style="background: #978367; color: black;" | 7 (45)| style="background: #878177; color: black;" | 2 (36)| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -4 (25)| | style="background: #978367; color: black;" | 6 (42)|-! height="16;" |Record low °C (°F)| style="background: #0F6FEF; color: black;" | -33 (-27)| style="background: #1771E7; color: black;" | -32 (-25)| style="background: #2773D7; color: black;" | -27 (-16)| style="background: #4777B7; color: black;" | -15 (5)| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -4 (25)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -2 (28)| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 4 (39)| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 4 (40)| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -2 (28)| style="background: #5F7A9F; color: black;" | -9 (16)| style="background: #3775C7; color: black;" | -21 (-5)| style="background: #1771E7; color: black;" | -30 (-22)| | |-! colspan= "15" style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Precipitation and Sunshine Hours|-! style="background: #DDDDDD;" height="16" | Month! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jan! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Feb! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Mar! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Apr! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | May! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jun! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Jul! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Aug! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Sep! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Oct! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Nov! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Dec! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | ! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Total|-! height="16;" |Total mm (in)| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 61 (2.4)| style="background: #789EB5; color: black;" | 51 (2.0)| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 66 (2.6)| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 70 (2.7)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 73 (2.9)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 72 (2.8)| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 68 (2.7)| style="background: #6098B5; color: black;" | 80 (3.1)| style="background: #5C97B5; color: black;" | 83 (3.3)| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 65 (2.6)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 76 (3.0)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 71 (2.8)| | style="background: #3086B5; color: black;" | 834 (32.8)|-! height="16;" |Rainfall mm (in)| style="background: #84A1B5; color: black;" | 29 (1.2)| style="background: #84A1B5; color: black;" | 26 (1.0)| style="background: #7C9FB5; color: black;" | 42 (1.7)| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 63 (2.5)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 73 (2.9)| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 72 (2.8)| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 68 (2.7)| style="background: #6098B5; color: black;" | 80 (3.1)| style="background: #5C97B5; color: black;" | 83 (3.3)| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 65 (2.6)| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 67 (2.7)| style="background: #7C9FB5; color: black;" | 42 (1.7)| | style="background: #4090B5; color: black;" | 710 (27.9)|-! height="16;" |Snowfall cm (in)| style="background: #B5B5B5; color: black;" | 38 (15.0)| style="background: #A5A5A5; color: black;" | 27 (10.5)| style="background: #A3A3A3; color: black;" | 22 (8.7)| style="background: #8A8A8A; color: black;" | 6 (2.4)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0(0)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0(0)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0(0)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0(0)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0(0)| style="background: #838383; color: black;" | 0.1 (0.04)| style="background: #8E8E8E; color: black;" | 8 (3.2)| style="background: #AAAAAA; color: black;" | 32 (12.7)| | style="background: #BABABA; color: black;" | 133 (52)|-! height="16;" |Sunshine hours| style="background: #E2CF70; color: black;" | 88| style="background: #E4CF68; color: black;" | 110| style="background: #E9D154; color: black;" | 156| style="background: #ECD148; color: black;" | 185| style="background: #F1D238; color: black;" | 229| style="background: #F4D32C; color: black;" | 256| style="background: #F5D328; color: black;" | 276| style="background: #E8D058; color: black;" | 241| style="background: #ECD148; color: black;" | 188| style="background: #E8D058; color: black;" | 148| style="background: #E2CF70; color: black;" | 84| style="background: #E1CF74; color: black;" | 75| | style="background: #F1D238; color: black;" | 2038|-! colspan= "15" style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Data recorded at The Annex by Environment Canada. Data spans 1971 to 2000.|}

Cityscape

Architecture and Toronto's Cultural Renaissance

viewed from Rogers Centre.

Defining the Toronto skyline is the CN Tower. At a height of 553.33 metres (1,815 ft, 5 in) it is the world's second tallest Dubai building surpasses CN Tower in height, CTV Television Network (2007). Retrieved on 2007-September 13. freestanding structure, an important telecommunications hub, and a centre of tourism in Toronto.

Toronto is a city of high-rises, having over 2000 buildings over 90 metres (300 ft) in height, second only to New York (which has over 5,000 such buildings) in North America. Most of these buildings are residential (either rental or condominium, where as the Central business district contains the taller commercial office towers). There has been recent media attention given for the need to retrofit many of these buildings, which were constructed beginning in the 1950s as residential apartment blocks to accommodate a quickly growing population. Many of the older buildings are shown to give off high concentrations of CO2 and are thought to be a significant contributor to the urban heat island effect, in addition to the aesthetic concerns as many of the buildings are viewed by many as urban blights often surrounded by limited landscaping and concrete parking lots without integration with the surrounding neighbourhoods.

In contrast, Toronto has also begun to experience an architectural overhaul within the past 5 years. The Royal Ontario Museum, Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Art Gallery of Ontario are just some of the many public art buildings that have undergone massive renovations. The historic Distillery District, located on the eastern edge of downtown, is North America's largest and best preserved collection of Victorian era industrial architecture. It has been redeveloped into a pedestrian-oriented arts, culture and entertainment neighbourhood. Modern glass and steel highrises have begun to transform the majority of the downtown area as the condominium market has exploded and triggered widespread construction throughout the city's centre. Trump International Hotel and Tower (Toronto), Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts are just some of the many high rise luxury condominium-hotel projects currently under construction in the downtown core.

in the Manulife Centre. Lake Ontario can be seen in the distance.

Neighbourhoods in urban Toronto.

The many residential communities of Toronto express a character distinct from that of the skyscrapers in the commercial core. Victorian era and Edwardian-era residential buildings can be found in enclaves such as Rosedale, Toronto, Forest Hill, Toronto, Cabbagetown, Toronto, the Annex, the Bridle Path and Moore Park, Toronto.

Wychwood Park is historically significant for the architecture of its homes, and for being one of Toronto's earliest planned communities. The Wychwood Park neighbourhood was designated as an Ontario Heritage Conservation district in 1985. The Casa Loma (neighbourhood) neighbourhood is named after Casa Loma, a castle built in 1911 that had an elevator, secret passages, and bowling alleys. Spadina House is a 19th century manor house that is now a museum.

The City of Toronto encompasses a geographical area formerly administered by six separate municipalities. These municipalities have each developed a distinct history and identity over the years, and their names remain in common use among Torontonians. Throughout the city there exist hundreds of small neighbourhoods and some larger neighbourhoods covering a few square kilometers. Former Municipalities include East York, Ontario, Etobicoke, Ontario, North York, Ontario, Old Toronto, Ontario, Scarborough, Ontario, and York, Ontario.

.

Old Toronto The Old Toronto, Ontario covers the area generally known as Downtown Toronto. It is the historic core of Toronto and remains the most densely-populated part of the city. The Financial District along Bay Street contains the largest cluster of skyscrapers in Canada, including the First Canadian Place, Toronto Dominion Centre, Scotia Plaza, Royal Bank Plaza, Commerce Court and Brookfield Place. From that point, the Toronto skyline extends northward along Yonge Street. Old Toronto is also home to many historically wealthy residential enclaves, such as Yorkville, Toronto, Rosedale, Toronto, The Annex, Forest Hill, Toronto, Lawrence Park, Toronto, Lytton Park, Moore Park, Toronto, and Casa Loma - Neighbourhood, most stretching away from downtown to the north. These neighbourhoods generally feature upscale homes, luxury condominiums and high-end retail. At the same time, the downtown core vicinity includes neighbourhoods with a high proportion of recent immigrants and low-income families living in social housing and rental high-rises, such as St. James Town, Regent Park, Moss Park, Alexandra Park and Parkdale, Toronto. East and west of Downtown, neighbourhoods such as Kensington Market, Leslieville, Cabbagetown and Riverdale, Toronto are home to bustling commercial and cultural areas as well as vibrant communities of artists with studio lofts, with an increasing proportion of middle and upper class professionals that mix with the working poor or those on some form of government assistance. Other neighbourhoods in the central city retain an ethnic identity, including two Chinatown, Toronto, the popular Greektown, Toronto area, the very trendy Little Italy, Toronto, Portugal Village, Toronto, and Gerrard Street, Toronto along with others.

Inner suburbs penthouse facing west.

The inner suburbs are contained within the former municipalities of York, Ontario and East York, Ontario. These are mature and traditionally working class areas, primarily consisting of post-World War I small, single-family homes and small apartment blocks. Neighbourhoods such as Crescent Town, Thorncliffe Park, Weston, Toronto, and Oakwood-Vaughan consist of mainly high-rise apartments which are home to many new immigrant families. Recently, many neighbourhoods have become ethnically diverse and have undergone gentrification, as a result of increasing population and a housing boom during the late 1990s and 2000s. The first neighbourhoods affected were Leaside and North Toronto, gradually progressing into the western neighbourhoods in York. Some of the area's housing is in the process of being replaced or remodelled.

Outer suburbs The outer suburbs comprising the former municipalities of Etobicoke, Ontario, Scarborough, Ontario and North York, Ontario largely retain the grid plan laid before post-war development. Sections were long established and quickly growing towns before the suburban housing boom began and the advent of Metro Government, such as Mimico, Ontario, Newtonbrook, Ontario and West Hill, Ontario. Suburban development grew quickly after the second war to include such upscale neighbourhoods as the Bridle Path, Toronto in North York, the area surrounding the Scarborough Bluffs in Guildwood, and most of central Etobicoke, such as Humber Valley Village, and The Kingsway. One of largest and earliest "planned communities" was Don Mills, Ontario, parts of which were first built in the 1950s."Plan town of 45,000 on Don Mills farms; Will cost $200,000,000," Paul L. Fox, Toronto Star, March 12 1953, p. 3. Retrieved on 2007-May 2. Phased development mixing single-detached housing with higher density apartment blocks became more popular as a suburban model of development. To some this model has been copied in other GTA municipalities surrounding Toronto, albeit with less population density. More recently, North York Centre that runs along Yonge Street and the Scarborough City Centre have emerged as secondary business districts outside the downtown core. High-rise development in these areas have given North York and Scarborough distinguishable skylines of their own and a more downtown feel with high-density transit corridors serving them.

Industrial One of Toronto's most unique neighbourhoods, the Distillery District contains the largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian architecture industrial architecture in North America. A national heritage site, it was listed by National Geographic magazine as a "top pick" in Canada for travellers. Large tracts of industrial land still exist particularly in Scarborough and Etobicoke, although not to the extent that they once did.

Public spaces

Nathan Phillips Square, a city square that forms the south entrance to Toronto City Hall, is also undergoing a major redesign by PLANT Architect Inc., Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners, Peter Lindsay Schaudt Landscape Architecture Inc., and Adrian Blackwell (winners of the International Design Competition in 2006/2007).

West 8, a Dutch architecture firm, won the Central Waterfront Innovative Design Competition in 2006 to provide a new look for the central part of the Toronto waterfront.{{cite web]| accessdate = 2007-03-18-->{{cite web| url = http://www.dtah.com/waterfront/| title = The Multiple Waterfront| author = du Toit Allsopp Hiller| accessdate = 2007-03-18-->

In the summer of 1999, Downsview Park initiated an international design competition to realize its vision of creating Canada's first national urban park. In May 2000, the winning park design was announced: "TREE CITY", by the team of Bruce Mau Design, Office for Metropolitan Architecture, Oleson Worland Architect and Inside/Outside.

Culture , home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Toronto is a major scene for theatre and other performing arts, with more than fifty ballet and dance companies, six opera companies, and two symphony orchestras. The city is home to the National Ballet of Canada, the Canadian Opera Company, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Notable performance venues include the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Roy Thomson Hall, the Princess of Wales Theatre, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Massey Hall, the Toronto Centre for the Arts, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres and the Hummingbird Centre (formerly the "O'Keefe Centre").Ontario Place features the world's first permanent IMAX movie theatre, the Cinesphere, The World's First Permanent IMAX Theatre Retrieved on 2007-May 2. as well as the Molson Amphitheatre, an open-air venue for large-scale music concerts. Each summer, the Canadian Stage Company presents an outdoor Shakespeare production in Toronto’s High Park called "Dream in High Park". Canada's Walk of Fame acknowledges the achievements of successful Canadians, with of a series of stars on designated blocks of sidewalks along King Street and Simcoe Street., housed in a former bank erected in 1885, is located at the intersection of Front Street and Yonge Street in Downtown Toronto.The Distillery District is a pedestrian village containing boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, artist studios and small breweries, including the well-known Mill Street Brewery. A new theatre in the district, the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, is the home of the Soulpepper Theatre Company and the drama productions of nearby George Brown College.

The production of domestic and foreign film and television is a major local industry. Many movie releases are screened in Toronto prior to wider release in North America. The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the most

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