Montreal
Queen of Quebec
No doubt about it. Montreal is one of North America's most progressive and exciting cities. The Montreal Metro speeds you along on silent rubber wheels; the fabulous Underground City seems like something back from the future and along the river, you can marvel at the great engineering feat of the St Lawrence Seaway. But the city is also well rooted in its 400-year history. You can wander around the cobblestone streets of the restored Old City and forget about the modern world for a while.
Of the 3 million Canadians who live in Greater Montreal, about two-thirds speak French as their first language; about one quarter are of English mother tongue.
Adding to the variety of the city are immigrants from the world over, for this is a truly cosmopolitan town. Italians and Germans have a weekly newspaper, Arabs a cultural centre, Hindus a radio programme, the Chinese and Greeks scores of authentic restaurants. Yet all are Montrealers. All head for the hills to ski and skate or, when the weather's really bad, carry on a busy cultural and social schedule through the Underground City, sheltered from the elements.And when summer finally comes around, there's hiking and camping in the surrounding countryside, fishing and swimming in the province's many lakes. Or, back in the city, a favourite cafe and a myriad of attractions to keep up with.
