Toronto, Ontario

From New World Encyclopedia
(Submitted)
 
(53 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Submitted}}{{Claimed}}{{Started}}
+
{{Approved}}{{2Copyedited}}{{Images OK}}{{Submitted}}{{Paid}}
 
+
{{epname|Toronto, Ontario}}
{{Infobox City
+
{{Infobox Settlement
|official_name         = City of Toronto
+
|name = Toronto
<!-- Toronto does not have an official or well-established nickname. Please edit the article titled [[Toronto's name]] instead. —>
+
|official_name = City of Toronto
|nickname               = '''[[Toronto's name|T.O., Hogtown, The Big Smoke, Toronto the Good, T-Dot]]''',  
+
|settlement_type = City
|motto                 = Diversity Our Strength
+
|nickname = [[Name of Toronto|T.O., T-Dot, Hogtown, The Queen City, Toronto the Good, The City Within a Park]]<!-- Do not add Centre of the Universe, since there are no valid citations for that term, and it is originally a popular nickname for NYC not Toronto —><!-- Do not add El Toro, since it is just a marketing ploy by Eye Weekly —><!-- Do not add York, Upper Canada, since it is a historical name, not a nickname —>
|image_skyline         = Toronto Skyline Photo.jpg
+
|motto = Diversity Our Strength
|image_flag             = Toronto_Flag.svg
+
|image_skyline = Toronto skyline and waterfront.jpg
|flag_link             = Flag of Toronto
+
|image_caption = Toronto skyline
|image_shield           = Toronto_Coat_of_Arms.jpg
+
|image_flag = Toronto_Flag.svg
|shield_link           = Coat of arms of Toronto
+
|flag_link = Flag of Toronto
|image_map             = Toronto_Location_in_Ontario.png
+
|flag_size = 125px
|mapsize               = 230px
+
|image_shield = Coat of arms of Toronto.png
|map_caption           = Location of Toronto and its [[census metropolitan area]] in the province of [[Ontario]]
+
|shield_link = Coat of arms of Toronto
|subdivision_type      = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
+
|shield_size = 85px
|subdivision_name       = [[Canada]]
+
|image_blank_emblem =
|subdivision_type1     = [[Provinces of Canada|Province]]
+
|image_map = Toronto_Location_in_Ontario.png
|subdivision_name1     = [[Ontario]]
+
|mapsize = 220px
|subdivision_type2     = [[Metropolitan Toronto|Districts]]
+
|map_caption = Location of Toronto and its [[census metropolitan area]] in the province of [[Ontario]]
|subdivision_name2     = [[Old Toronto, Ontario|Old Toronto]]<br>[[East York, Ontario|East York]]<br>[[Etobicoke]]<br>[[North York]]<br>[[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]]<br>[[York, Ontario|York]]
+
|pushpin_map =
|leader_title           = [[Mayor of Toronto|Mayor]]
+
|pushpin_map_caption = Location of Toronto in Canada
|leader_name           = [[David Miller (mayor of Toronto)|David Miller]]
+
|coordinates_region = CA-ON
|leader_title1         = [[Local government]]
+
|subdivision_type = Country
|leader_name1           = [[Toronto City Council]]<br>(44 councillors)
+
|subdivision_name = [[:Canada]]
|leader_title2         = Representatives
+
|subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
|leader_name2           = [[List of Toronto MPs and MPPs|23 MPs, 22 MPPs, and 6 Senators]]
+
|subdivision_name1 = [[Ontario]]
|established_title     = Established
+
|subdivision_type2 = [[Amalgamation of Toronto|Districts]]
|established_date       = 1793, as "Town of York"
+
|subdivision_name2 = [[East York]], [[Etobicoke]], [[North York]], [[Old Toronto]], [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]], [[York, Ontario|York]]
|established_title2    = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
+
|leader_title = [[Mayor of Toronto|Mayor]]
|established_date2      = [[March 6]], [[1834]],<br>as "City of Toronto"
+
|leader_name = [[Rob Ford]]
|established_title3    = [[Amalgamation (politics)|Amalgamated]]
+
|leader_title1 = Council
|established_date3      = [[January 1]], [[1998]]
+
|leader_name1 = [[Toronto City Council]]
|area_magnitude         =
+
|leader_title2 =  
|unit_pref             = Metric
+
|leader_name2 =
|area_magnitude         =
+
|leader_title3 =
|area_total            = 630.18
+
|leader_name3 =
|area_metro            = 5903.63
+
|settled_title = Settled
|area_urban            = 1748.57
+
|settled_date = 1750 (as [[Fort Rouillé]])
|elevation              = 76
+
|established_title = Established
|area_footnotes         =
+
|established_date = August 27, 1793 (as [[York, Upper Canada|York]])
<ref name="2006censuspop">{{cite web | url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=203&SR=1&S=3&O=D&RPP=25&CMA=535
+
|established_title1 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| title = Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data
+
|established_date1 = March 6, 1834 (as Toronto)
| work = [[Statistics Canada]], 2006 Census of Population
+
|established_title2 = [[Merger (politics)|Amalgamated]]
| date = [[2007-03-13]]
+
|established_date2 = January 1, 1998 (from [[Metropolitan Toronto]])
| accessdate = 2007-03-19
+
|area_magnitude =
}}</ref><ref name="area_and_pop_urban_area">{{cite web
+
|unit_pref = Metric
| url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=801&PR=0&SR=1&S=3&O=D
+
|area_magnitude =
| title = Population and dwelling counts, for urban areas, 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data
+
|area_total_km2 = 630
| date = [[2007-03-13]]
+
|area_metro_km2 = 7125
| work = [[Statistics Canada]], 2006 Census of Population
+
|area_urban_km2 = 1749
| accessdate = 2007-03-19
+
|elevation_m = 76
}}</ref>
+
|area_footnotes =<ref name="SC2011cd">Statistics Canada, [http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=3520&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All Census Profile]. Retrieved June 15, 2012.</ref>
|population_note       =
+
|population_note =
|population_as_of       = 2006
+
|population_footnotes =
|population_total       = 2,503,281 ([[List of the 100 largest municipalities in Canada by population|Ranked 1st]])
+
|population_as_of = 2011
|population_density    = 3972.33
+
|population_total = 2,615,060<!-- Do not change this figure until the 2016 census is released —> ([[List of the 100 largest municipalities in Canada by population|1st]])
|population_urban      = 4,753,120
+
|population_density_km2 = 4149
|population_density_urban_km2 = 2718.29
+
|population_metro = 5,583,064 ([[List of the 100 largest metropolitan areas in Canada|1st]])<!-- Do not change this figure until the 2016 census is released —>
|population_metro       = 5,113,149 ([[Greater Toronto Area#Toronto CMA|Toronto CMA]])<br /> 5,555,912 ([[Greater Toronto Area|GTA]])
+
|population_urban = 5,132,794 ([[List of the 100 largest urban areas in Canada|1st]])<!-- Do not change this figure until the 2016 census is released —>
|population_density_metro_km2 = 866.10
+
|population_blank1_title = [[Demonym]]
|golden_horseshoe      = 8.1 million
+
|population_blank1 = Torontonian
|population_footnotes   =
+
|population_footnotes =<ref name="SC2011cd" />
<ref name="2006censuspop" /><ref name="area_and_pop_urban_area" />
+
|timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
|timezone               = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
+
|utc_offset = -5
|utc_offset             = -5
+
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|timezone_DST           = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
+
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|utc_offset_DST         = -4
+
|postal_code_type = Postal code span
|postal_code_type       = Postal code span
+
|postal_code = [[List of M postal codes of Canada|M]]
|postal_code           = [[List of M Postal Codes of Canada|M]]
+
|area_code = [[Area codes 416, 647 and 437|416, 647]]
|area_code             = [[Area code 416/647|(416) and (647)]]
+
|website = [http://www.toronto.ca/ www.toronto.ca]
|website               = [http://www.toronto.ca toronto.ca]
+
|blank_name = [[National Topographic System|NTS]] Map
|latd=43 |latm=39 |lats= |latNS=N
+
|blank_info = 030M11
|longd=79 |longm=23 |longs= |longEW=W
+
|blank1_name = [[Geographical Names Board of Canada|GNBC]] Code
 +
|blank1_info = FEUZB
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''Toronto''' is a city in southern [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]. Located on the northwestern shore of [[Lake Ontario]], it is the home of the provincial government, the [[List of the 100 largest municipalities in Canada by population|largest city]] in Canada and the fifth largest city in [[North America]]. As of the 2006 Canadian census, the city's population is 2,503,281 and its [[census metropolitan area]] (CMA) has a population of 5,113,149.<ref name="2006censuspop" /> The 2006 census population of the old, pre-amalgamated City of Toronto is 680,995. The [[Greater Toronto Area]] (GTA), a provincial planning area that differs from the federal CMA, had a population of 5,555,912 at the 2006 Canadian Census.<ref>Total population of the City of Toronto (2,503,281) and the regional municipalities of [[Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario|Durham]] (561,258), [[Regional Municipality of Halton, Ontario|Halton]] (439,256), [[Regional Municipality of Peel, Ontario|Peel]] (1,159,405) and [[Regional Municipality of York, Ontario|York]] (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]]
 
| date = [[2007-03-13]]
 
| 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)|Ministry of Finance]], 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, ...
 
}}</ref> Toronto is heralded as one of the most multicultural cities in the world and is ranked as the safest large metropolitan area in North America by Places Rated Almanac. Over 100 languages and dialects are spoken here, and over one third of Toronto residents speak a language other than English at home. Toronto is the economic centre of the [[Golden Horseshoe|Greater Golden Horseshoe]], a large urbanized region of 8.1 million people,<ref name="2006CensGGH">{{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
 
|date=[[2007-03-13]]
 
|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref><!-- Old cite and a worthless name= tag to check/replace other than that it's not used. It is re-defined below but not used: <ref name=Population>{{cite web
 
| url=http://www.pir.gov.on.ca/english/aboutpir/publications/GrowthPlan_DraftPlan.pdf
 
| title=Places to Grow, Draft Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
 
| author=Government of Ontario
 
| pages=p. 13
 
| year=2005
 
| month=February
 
| accessdate=2007-03-05}}</ref> —> spreading outwards from the western shores of Lake Ontario.
 
Residents of Toronto are called ''[[List of people from Toronto|Torontonians]]''.
 
  
As Canada's [[economic capital]], Toronto is considered a [[global city]]. Toronto's leading economic sectors include [[finance]], business services, [[telecommunications]], [[aerospace]], [[transportation]], [[mass media|media]], [[arts]], [[film]], [[television]] production, [[publishing]], [[computer software|software production]], [[medical research]], [[education]], [[tourism]] and [[sports]] industries.<ref name=TorontoEconomy>[http://www.toronto.ca/ City of Toronto] (2007) - [http://www.toronto.ca/invest-in-toronto/tor_overview.htm Toronto economic overview], [http://www.toronto.ca/invest-in-toronto/clusteroverview.htm Key industry clusters] and [http://www.toronto.ca/invest-in-toronto/pdf/economy.pdf A Diversified Economy]. Retrieved on [[2007-03-01]].</ref><ref>{{cite web
+
'''Toronto''' is the largest [[city]] in [[Canada]] and the fifth largest metropolitian area in [[North America]]. Located on the northwestern shore of [[Lake Ontario]], Toronto is the economic center of the Canadian Province of [[Ontario]] and the seat of its provincial government. As Canada's economic capital, Toronto's leading economic sectors include [[finance]], business services, [[telecommunications]], [[aerospace]], [[transportation]], [[mass media|media]], [[arts]], [[film]], [[television]] production, [[publishing]], [[computer software|software production]], [[medical research]], [[education]], [[tourism]] and [[sports]] industries. The [[Toronto Stock Exchange]] is headquartered in the city, along with a majority of Canada's corporations.  
| url=http://www.toronto.ca/business_publications/tocompetes.htm
+
{{toc}}
| title=Toronto Competes
+
Toronto is heralded as one of the most multicultural cities in the world and is ranked as the safest large urban area in North America by Places Rated Almanac. Over 100 languages and dialects are spoken here, and over one third of Toronto residents speak a language other than English at home. Toronto's population is [[cosmopolitan]] and [[international]], which reflects its role as an important destination for [[Immigration|immigrants to Canada]]. As a result of its low crime rates, clean environment and generally high standard of living, Toronto is consistently rated one of the world's most livable cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit<ref name=best>[http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/10/04/eui.survey/index.html Vancouver is 'best city to live'] ''CNN''. 2005-10-05, accessdate 2007-03-05</ref> and the Mercer Quality of Living Survey.<ref name=quality>[http://www.mercerhr.com/attachment.dyn?idContent=1216315&filePath=/attachments/English/QOL_Survey2006_table.pdf]
| author=ICF Consulting
+
''Mercer Human Resource Consulting, 2006''. accessdate 2007-03-05</ref>  
| year=2000
 
| month=February
 
| accessdate=2007-03-01}}</ref> The [[Toronto Stock Exchange]], the world's sixth largest, is headquartered in the city, along with a majority of Canada's corporations.<ref name=TorontoEconomy/>
 
  
Toronto's professional sports teams include the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], [[Toronto Raptors]], [[Toronto Blue Jays]], [[Toronto Argonauts]], [[Toronto FC]], and [[Toronto Rock]]. Toronto's skyline is defined by the [[CN Tower]], the world's tallest freestanding structure. Toronto's population is [[cosmopolitan]] and [[international]], which reflects its role as an important destination for [[Immigration to Canada|immigrants to Canada]].<ref>{{cite web
+
Residents of Toronto are called ''Torontonians.''
| 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}}</ref> Because of its low crime rates,<ref name=crime>{{cite web
 
| url=http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/050721/d050721a.htm
 
| title=Crime statistics
 
| author=Statistics Canada, ''The Daily''
 
| date=[[2006-07-21]]
 
| accessdate=2007-03-05}}</ref> clean environment and generally high standard of living, Toronto is consistently rated one of the world's most livable cities by the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]]<ref name=best>{{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]]
 
| date=[[2005-10-05]]
 
| accessdate=2007-03-05}}</ref> and the Mercer Quality of Living Survey.<ref name=quality>{{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}}</ref> In 2006, Toronto was ranked as the most expensive city in Canada to live in.<ref>{{cite news|first=Eric|last=Beauchesne|title=Toronto pegged as priciest place to live in Canada|publisher=CanWest News Service|date=[[24 June]] [[2006]]|url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=245b1dc8-1b43-46cb-bd84-6e78ab8a5afb&k=54140|accessdate=2007-03-05}}</ref>
 
 
 
Toronto has a number of [[Sister cities of Toronto|sister cities]], which it selects based on economic, cultural and political criteria.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
<!--Please stop adding unwikified text to this section; edit [[History of Toronto]] instead. Thank you.—>
+
When [[European]]s 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".<ref name=etymology>[http://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/education/toronto_e.php The real story of how Toronto got its name] ''Natural Resources Canada (2005)'' accessdate 2006-12-08 from Alan  Rayburn, ''Canadian Geographic'' (September/October 1994). (Ottawa): 68-70.
{{main|History of Toronto}}{{See|Toronto's name}}
+
</ref> 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 led to widespread use of the name.
When [[European]]s 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".<ref name=etymology>{{cite web|url=http://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/education/toronto_e.php|title=The real story of how Toronto got its name|publisher=[[Natural Resources Canada]] (2005)|accessdate=2006-12-08}}</ref> 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 led to widespread use of the name.
 
  
[[Image:Toronto 1894large.jpg|thumb|left|Map of Toronto, 1894]]
+
[[Image:Toronto 1894large.jpg|250px|left|Map of Toronto, 1894]]
  
[[France|French]] traders founded [[Fort Rouillé]] on the current [[Exhibition Place|Exhibition grounds]] in 1750, but abandoned it in 1759.<ref name=rouille>[http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/jarvisci/toronto/rouille.htm Fort Rouillé], Jarvis Collegiate Institute (2006). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 8|12-08]].</ref> During the [[American Revolutionary War]], the region saw an influx of [[British Empire|British]] 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|New Credit]], thereby securing more than a quarter million acres (1000 km²) of land in the Toronto area.<ref name=British>[http://www.toronto.ca/culture/history/history-natives-newcomers.htm Natives and newcomers, 1600-1793], City of Toronto (2006). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 8|12-08]].</ref>
+
[[France|French]] traders founded Fort Rouillé on the current Exhibition grounds in 1750, but abandoned it in 1759.<ref name=rouille> Fort Rouillé, Jarvis Collegiate Institute (2006).</ref> During the [[American Revolutionary War]], the region saw an influx of [[British Empire|British]] 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|New Credit]], thereby securing more than a quarter million acres (1000 km²) of land in the Toronto area.<ref name=British>Carl Benn, ''The History of Toronto, an 11,000 Year Journey.'' [http://www.toronto.ca/culture/history/history-natives-newcomers.htm Natives and newcomers, 1600-1793], ''City of Toronto (2006)''. Retrieved on 2006-12-08. </ref>
  
In 1793, Governor [[John Graves Simcoe]] established the town of [[York, Upper Canada|York]] on the existing settlement, naming it after [[Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany]]. Simcoe chose the town to replace [[Niagara-on-the-Lake|Newark]] as the capital of [[Upper Canada]], believing the new site would be less vulnerable to attack by the [[United States|Americans]].<ref name=[[Fort York]]>{{cite web|url=http://www.fortyork.ca|title=Welcome to the birthplace of Toronto|publisher=Friends of Fort York (2006)|accessdate=2006-12-08}}</ref> [[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.
+
In 1793, Governor John Graves Simcoe established the town of York on the existing settlement, naming it after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. Simcoe chose the town to replace [[Niagara-on-the-Lake|Newark]] as the capital of Upper Canada, believing the new site would be less vulnerable to attack by the Americans<ref>[http://www.fortyork.ca Welcome to the birthplace of Toronto] ''Friends of Fort York (2006)'' accessdate 2006-12-08</ref> [[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 harbor behind the peninsula, near the present-day Parliament Street and Front Street.
  
 
In 1813, as part of the [[War of 1812]], the [[Battle of York]] ended in the town's capture and plunder by American forces. 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.
 
In 1813, as part of the [[War of 1812]], the [[Battle of York]] ended in the town's capture and plunder by American forces. 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.
Line 153: Line 98:
 
[[Image:Toronto Harbour, 1919.jpg|right|thumb|Toronto Harbour, 1919]]
 
[[Image:Toronto Harbour, 1919.jpg|right|thumb|Toronto Harbour, 1919]]
  
With a population of only 9,000 inhabitants, York was incorporated as the City of Toronto on [[March 6]], [[1834]], reverting to its original native name. These included escaped African-American slaves fleeing [[Black Codes]] in some states, 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 [[Irish potato 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|Catholic]]. 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.
+
With a population of only 9,000 inhabitants, York was incorporated as the City of Toronto on March 6, 1834, reverting to its original native name. These included escaped [[African-American]] [[slavery|slaves]] fleeing Black Codes in some states, 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 nineteenth century, as a major destination for immigrants to Canada. The first significant population influx occurred with the [[Irish potato 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|Catholic]]. 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 just a year prior to [[Canadian Confederation|Confederation]], since then it has been [[Ottawa, Ontario|Ottawa]]. 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|Queen's Park]]. Because of its capital status, the city has also always been the location of [[Government House (Ontario)|Government House]], the residence of the [[Viceroy|vice-regal]] representative of the [[Monarchy in Canada|Crown]].
+
Toronto was for brief periods twice 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 just a year prior to Confederation. Since Confederation, the capital of Canada has been [[Ottawa, Ontario|Ottawa]]. Toronto remained the capital of the province of [[Ontario]] after the province's official creation in 1867. Because of its capital status, the city has also always been the location of Government House, the residence of the vice-regal representative of the Crown.
  
The city began to rapidly industrialize in the middle of 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 (US)|Great Northern Railway]] joined in the building of the first [[Old Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]] 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]] later re-named the current [[Toronto Transit Commission]], now with the third highest ridership of any city public transportation system in North America.
+
The city began to rapidly [[industrialization|industrialize]] in the middle of the nineteenth 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 joined in the building of the first Union Station 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 later re-named the current Toronto Transit Commission, now with the third highest ridership of any city public transportation system in North America.
  
The [[1904 Toronto fire|Great Toronto Fire of 1904]] 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 Great Toronto Fire of 1904 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.
  
 
[[Image:1949 Toronto TTC YongeSubwayConstruction1.jpg|thumb|left|Subway construction on Yonge Street, 1949]]
 
[[Image:1949 Toronto TTC YongeSubwayConstruction1.jpg|thumb|left|Subway construction on Yonge Street, 1949]]
  
The city received new immigrant groups beginning in the late 19th century into early 20th century, particularly [[German people|Germans]], [[Italian people|Italians]], and [[Jews]] from various parts of [[Eastern Europe]]. They were soon followed by [[Chinese people|Chinese]], [[Russian people|Russians]], [[Poles]] and immigrants from other [[Eastern European]] nations, as the [[Irish people|Irish]] 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|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.
+
The city received new immigrant groups beginning in the late 19th century into early 20th century, particularly [[German people|Germans]], [[Italian people|Italians]], and [[Jews]] from various parts of [[Eastern Europe]]. They were soon followed by [[Chinese people|Chinese]], [[Russian people|Russians]], [[Poles]] and immigrants from other Eastern European nations, as the [[Irish people|Irish]] 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 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|Second World War]], refugees from war-torn Europe 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.<ref>[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3683/is_200201/ai_n9069631/pg_1 Westward ho? The shifting geography of corporate power in Canada], Journal of Canadian Studies (2002). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[January 14|01-14]].</ref>
+
Following the [[World War II|Second World War]], refugees from war-torn Europe 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.<ref>[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3683/is_200201/ai_n9069631/pg_1 Westward ho? The shifting geography of corporate power in Canada], ''Journal of Canadian Studies'' (2002). Retrieved on 2007-01-14.</ref>
  
In 1954, the City of Toronto was federated into a [[regional municipality|regional government]] known as [[Metropolitan Toronto]].<ref>[http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/RepealedStatutes/English/90m62_e.htm Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Act], [[Government of Ontario]] (2000). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 29|12-29]].</ref> 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-city configuration that included the old [[Old Toronto, Ontario|City of Toronto]] and the surrounding municipalities of [[East York, Ontario|East York]], [[Etobicoke, Ontario|Etobicoke]], [[North York, Ontario|North York]], [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]] and [[York, Ontario|York]]. In 1998, the metropolitan government was dissolved and the six municipalities were [[amalgamation (politics)|amalgamated]] into a single municipality, creating the current City of Toronto, where [[David Miller (Canadian politician)|David Miller]] is the current Mayor.
+
In 1954, the City of Toronto was federated into a regional government known as Metropolitan Toronto.<ref>[http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/RepealedStatutes/English/90m62_e.htm Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Act], ''Government of Ontario'' (2000). Retrieved on 2006-12-29.</ref> 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-city configuration that included the old City of Toronto and the surrounding municipalities of East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough and York. In 1998, the metropolitan government was dissolved and the six municipalities were amalgamated into a single municipality, creating the current City of Toronto.
  
 
==Geography and climate==
 
==Geography and climate==
[[Image:Toronto Landsat.jpg|thumb|A simulated-colour image of Toronto taken by [[NASA]]'s [[Landsat 7]] satellite.]]
+
[[Image:Toronto Landsat.jpg|thumb|A simulated-color image of Toronto taken by NASA's Landsat 7 satellite.]]
{{main|Geography and climate of Toronto}}
+
Toronto covers an area of 629.91 square kilometres (243.21 [[square mile|sq&nbsp;mi]]),<ref name=population>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-P.cfm?PR=35&T=2&SR=1&S=3&O=D Population statistics and land area], ''Statistics Canada'' (2001). Retrieved on 2006-12-05.</ref> with a maximum north-south distance of 21&nbsp;kilometres&nbsp;(13&nbsp;mi) and a maximum east-west distance of 43 kilometres (27&nbsp;mi). It has a 46 kilometre (29&nbsp;mi) long waterfront shoreline. Its borders are bounded by [[Lake Ontario]] to the south, Etobicoke Creek and Highway 427 to the west, Steeles Avenue to the north and the Rouge River to the east.
Toronto covers an area of 629.91 square kilometres (243.21 [[square mile|sq&nbsp;mi]]),<ref name=population>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-P.cfm?PR=35&T=2&SR=1&S=3&O=D Population statistics and land area], Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 5|12-05]].</ref> with a maximum north-south distance of 21&nbsp;kilometres&nbsp;(13&nbsp;mi) and a maximum east-west distance of 43 kilometres (27&nbsp;mi). It has a 46 kilometre (29&nbsp;mi) long [[Toronto waterfront|waterfront]] shoreline. Its borders are bounded by [[Lake Ontario]] to the south, [[Etobicoke Creek]] and [[Highway 427 (Ontario)|Highway 427]] to the west, [[Steeles Avenue]] to the north and the [[Rouge River (Ontario)|Rouge River]] to the east.
 
  
 
===Topography===
 
===Topography===
The city is intersected by two rivers and numerous tributaries: the [[Humber River (Toronto)|Humber River]] in the west end and the [[Don River (Toronto)|Don River]] 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]] and the [[Leslie Street Spit]]. The many creeks and rivers cutting from north toward the lake create large tracts of densely-forested [[ravine]]s, 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|Bloor Street 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.
+
The city is intersected by two rivers and numerous tributaries: the [[Humber River]] in the west end and the Don River 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 and the Leslie Street Spit. The many creeks and rivers cutting from north toward the lake create large tracts of densely-forested ravines, 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 terminating on one side of ravines and continuing on the other side. Other thoroughfares 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&nbsp;ft) above-sea-level at the Lake Ontario shore to 270 metres (886&nbsp;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&nbsp;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.
+
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&nbsp;ft) above-sea-level at the Lake Ontario shore to 270 metres (886&nbsp;ft) ASL near the York University grounds in the city's north end.
  
[[Image:Day243highparkp.JPG|right|thumb|Late spring scene in [[High Park]], in Toronto's west end.]]
+
Much of the current lakeshore land area fronting the Toronto Harbour is actually artificial landfill. In the mid-nineteenth century the lakefront was set back up to a kilometre (0.6&nbsp;mi) further inland than it is today. Much of the Toronto harbor (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.
  
 
===Climate===
 
===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|U.S.]] 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 other factors Toronto has a fairly low diurnal temperature range, at least in built-up city and lakeshore areas. At different times of the year, the proximity to Lake Ontario and the other Great Lakes has various localized and regional impacts on the climate, including [[lake effect snow]].
+
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|U.S.]] 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 other factors Toronto has a fairly low diurnal temperature range, at least in built-up city and lakeshore areas. At different times of the year, the proximity to Lake Ontario and the other Great Lakes has various localized and regional impacts on the climate, including [[lake effect snow]].
  
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, typical conditions of both seasons usually arrive later than in other continental climates at similar latitudes owing to the presence of Lake Ontario and to a lesser degree, the other Great Lakes.<ref name=climate>[http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALL&StationName=toronto&SearchType=BeginsWith&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=5051& Canadian climate normals for 1971 to 2000], [[Environment Canada]] (2004). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 5|12-05]].</ref>
+
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, typical conditions of both seasons usually arrive later than in other continental climates at similar latitudes owing to the presence of Lake Ontario and to a lesser degree, the other Great Lakes.<ref name=climate>[http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALL&StationName=toronto&SearchType=BeginsWith&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=5051& Canadian climate normals for 1971 to 2000], ''Environment Canada'' (2004). Retrieved on 2006-12-05.</ref>
  
Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, but summer is usually the wettest season, the bulk falling during thunderstorms. The average yearly precipitation is 834 mm(32.83 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.<ref name=climate>[http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALL&StationName=toronto&SearchType=BeginsWith&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=5051& Canadian climate normals for 1971 to 2000], [[Environment Canada]] (2004). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 17|12-17]].</ref>
+
Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, but summer is usually the wettest season, the bulk falling during thunderstorms. The average yearly precipitation is 834 mm(32.83 in), with an average annual snowfall of about 133 centimetres (52 in). Toronto experiences an average of 2,038 sunshine hours or 44 percent of possible, most of it during the warmer weather season.<ref name=climate/>
{{-}}
 
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"
 
! colspan= "13" style="background: #6688AA; color: white;" | <big>Climate in Toronto</big>
 
|-
 
! colspan= "13" 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
 
|-
 
! height="16;" |Record high °C (°F)
 
| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 16.1(61)
 
| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 14.4(58)
 
| style="background: #D78B27; color: black;" | 26.7(80)
 
| style="background: #E78D17; color: black;" | 32.2(90)
 
| style="background: #EF8F0F; color: black;" | 34.4(94)
 
| style="background: #F5930A; color: black;" | 36.7(98)
 
| style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 40.6(105)
 
| style="background: #FA9605; color: black;" | 38.9(102)
 
| style="background: #FA9605; color: black;" | 37.8(100)
 
| style="background: #E78D17; color: black;" | 30(86)
 
| style="background: #CF8A2F; color: black;" | 23.9(75)
 
| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 19.9(68)
 
|-
 
! height="16;" |Average high °C(°F)
 
| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -1.1(30)
 
| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -0.2(32)
 
| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 4.6(40)
 
| style="background: #A78557; color: black;" | 11.3(52)
 
| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 18.5(65)
 
| style="background: #CF8A2F; color: black;" | 23.5(74)
 
| style="background: #D78B27; color: black;" | 26.4(80)
 
| style="background: #D78B27; color: black;" | 25.3(78)
 
| style="background: #C78937; color: black;" | 20.7(69)
 
| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 13.8(57)
 
| style="background: #978367; color: black;" | 7.4(45)
 
| style="background: #878177; color: black;" | 1.8(35)
 
|-
 
! height="16;" |Average °C (°F)
 
| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -4.2(24)
 
| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -3.2(26)
 
| style="background: #878177; color: black;" | 1.3(34)
 
| style="background: #9F845F; color: black;" | 7.6(46)
 
| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 14.2(58)
 
| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 19.2(67)
 
| style="background: #C78937; color: black;" | 22.2(72)
 
| style="background: #C78937; color: black;" | 21.3(70)
 
| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 17(63)
 
| style="background: #A78557; color: black;" | 10.6(51)
 
| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 4.8(41)
 
| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -0.9(30)
 
|-
 
! height="16;" |Average low °C (°F)
 
| style="background: #677B97; color: black;" | -7.3(19)
 
| style="background: #677B97; color: black;" | -6.3(21)
 
| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -2(28)
 
| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 3.8(39)
 
| style="background: #9F845F; color: black;" | 9.9(50)
 
| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 14.8(59)
 
| style="background: #BF883F; color: black;" | 17.9(64)
 
| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 17.3(63)
 
| style="background: #B78747; color: black;" | 13.2(56)
 
| style="background: #978367; color: black;" | 7.3(45)
 
| style="background: #878177; color: black;" | 2.2(36)
 
| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -3.7(25)
 
|-
 
! height="16;" |Record low °C (°F)
 
| style="background: #0F6FEF; color: black;" | -32.8(-27)
 
| style="background: #1771E7; color: black;" | -31.7(-25)
 
| style="background: #2773D7; color: black;" | -26.7(-16)
 
| style="background: #4777B7; color: black;" | -15(5)
 
| style="background: #6F7C8F; color: black;" | -3.9(25)
 
| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -2.2(28)
 
| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 3.9(39)
 
| style="background: #8F826F; color: black;" | 4.4(40)
 
| style="background: #777D87; color: black;" | -2.2(28)
 
| style="background: #5F7A9F; color: black;" | -8.9(16)
 
| style="background: #3775C7; color: black;" | -20.6(-5)
 
| style="background: #1771E7; color: black;" | -30(-22)
 
|-
 
! colspan= "13" 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
 
|-
 
! height="16;" |Total mm (in)
 
| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 61.2(2.41)
 
| style="background: #789EB5; color: black;" | 50.5(1.99)
 
| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 66.1(2.6)
 
| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 69.6(2.74)
 
| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 73.3(2.89)
 
| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 71.5(2.81)
 
| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 67.5(2.66)
 
| style="background: #6098B5; color: black;" | 79.6(3.13)
 
| style="background: #5C97B5; color: black;" | 83.4(3.28)
 
| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 64.7(2.55)
 
| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 75.7(2.98)
 
| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 71(2.8)
 
|-
 
! height="16;" |Rainfall mm (in)
 
| style="background: #84A1B5; color: black;" | 29.1(1.15)
 
| style="background: #84A1B5; color: black;" | 26.2(1.03)
 
| style="background: #7C9FB5; color: black;" | 42(1.65)
 
| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 63.2(2.49)
 
| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 73.3(2.89)
 
| style="background: #6499B5; color: black;" | 71.5(2.81)
 
| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 67.5(2.66)
 
| style="background: #6098B5; color: black;" | 79.6(3.13)
 
| style="background: #5C97B5; color: black;" | 83.4(3.28)
 
| style="background: #6C9BB5; color: black;" | 64.7(2.55)
 
| style="background: #689AB5; color: black;" | 67.3(2.65)
 
| style="background: #7C9FB5; color: black;" | 41.9(1.65)
 
|-
 
! height="16;" |Snowfall cm (in)
 
| style="background: #B5B5B5; color: black;" | 38.2(15.04)
 
| style="background: #A5A5A5; color: black;" | 26.6(10.47)
 
| style="background: #A3A3A3; color: black;" | 22(8.66)
 
| style="background: #8A8A8A; color: black;" | 6(2.36)
 
| 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;" | 8.1(3.19)
 
| style="background: #AAAAAA; color: black;" | 32.2(12.68)
 
|-
 
! height="16;" |Sunshine hours
 
| style="background: #E2CF70; color: black;" | 88.3
 
| style="background: #E4CF68; color: black;" | 110.3
 
| style="background: #E9D154; color: black;" | 156.3
 
| style="background: #ECD148; color: black;" | 185.4
 
| style="background: #F1D238; color: black;" | 229.1
 
| style="background: #F4D32C; color: black;" | 256.2
 
| style="background: #F5D328; color: black;" | 276.2
 
| style="background: #E8D058; color: black;" | 241.3
 
| style="background: #ECD148; color: black;" | 188
 
| style="background: #E8D058; color: black;" | 148.4
 
| style="background: #E2CF70; color: black;" | 83.6
 
| style="background: #E1CF74; color: black;" | 74.7
 
|-
 
! rowspan= "4" colspan= "4" style="background: #DDDDDD;" | Data recorded at [[Toronto, Ontario|Downtown Toronto]]<br>Data obtained from [http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALL&StationName=toronto&SearchType=BeginsWith&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=5051& Environment Canada]<br>Data spans 1971 to 2000
 
! rowspan= "4" colspan= "2" style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Annual Averages
 
! colspan= "3" style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Temperature
 
! colspan= "3" style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Precipitation
 
! rowspan= "2" style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Sunshine
 
|-
 
! style="background: #446688; color: white;" | High
 
! style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Mean
 
! style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Low
 
! style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Total
 
! style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Rain
 
! style="background: #446688; color: white;" | Snow
 
|-
 
! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | °C(°F)
 
! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | °C(°F)
 
! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | °C(°F)
 
! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | mm(in)
 
! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | mm(in)
 
! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | cm(in)
 
! style="background: #DDDDDD;" | hours
 
|-
 
| style="background: #AF864F; color: black;" | 12.7(55)
 
| style="background: #9F845F; color: black;" | 9.2(49)
 
| style="background: #978367; color: black;" | 5.6(42)
 
| style="background: #3086B5; color: black;" | 834(32.83)
 
| style="background: #4090B5; color: black;" | 709.8(27.94)
 
| style="background: #BABABA; color: black;" | 133.1(52.4)
 
| style="background: #F1D238; color: black;" | 2037.6
 
|}
 
  
 
==Cityscape==
 
==Cityscape==
{{see also|Doors Open Toronto}} and [http://www.livewithculture.ca/livewithculture_ca/about/cultural_renaissance_projects/toronto_s_cultural_renaissance Toronto's Cultural Renaissance]
+
Toronto has become an [[architecture|architectural]] hotspot featuring uniquely designed buildings from many of the most celebrated architects in the world. The list includes such names as [[Frank Gehry]], [[Daniel Libeskind]], Norman Foster, Will Alsop, [[I. M. Pei]], Santiago Calatrava, and [[Mies van der Rohe]] as well as award-winning local firms, such as Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners, Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg (KPMB) and Diamond Schmitt Architects.
 
 
Toronto has become an architectural hotspot featuring uniquely designed buildings from many of the most celebrated architects in the world. The list includes such names as [[Frank Gehry]], [[Daniel Libeskind]], [[Norman Foster]], [[Will Alsop]], [[I. M. Pei]], [[Santiago Calatrava]], and [[Mies van der Rohe]] as well as award-winning local firms, such as Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners, Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg (KPMB) and Diamond Schmitt Architects.
 
  
 
===Architecture===
 
===Architecture===
{{see also|List of tallest buildings in Toronto}} ''and [[List of oldest buildings and structures in Toronto]]''
+
[[Image:CNTower Skydome 2005-08-05.jpg|right|thumb|A close-up view of the CN Tower from Rogers Centre.]]
[[Image:CNTower Skydome 2005-08-05.jpg|right|thumb|A close-up view of the [[CN Tower]] from [[Rogers Centre]].]]
+
Defining the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower is Canada's most recognizable and celebrated icon. At a height of 553.33 m (1,815 ft., 5 inches) it is  the world's tallest freestanding structure, an important telecommunications hub, and a centre of [[tourism]] in Toronto. Toronto's most prominent landmark is the CN Tower, which currently stands as the tallest free-standing land structure in the world at 553 metres (1,815 ft).<ref name="Emporis">Edward Chamberlain, [http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/nc/ne/?id=101602 CN Tower Marks 30 Years At The Top] ''Emporis Buildings''. 2006-12-08</ref>
Defining the Toronto skyline, the [[CN Tower]] is Canada's most recognizable and celebrated icon. At a height of 553.33 m (1,815 ft., 5 inches) it is  the world's tallest freestanding structure, an important telecommunications hub, and a centre of tourism in Toronto.
 
 
 
[[BCE Place]] is an office complex in downtown Toronto, which consists of two towers, the Bay Wellington Tower and the TD Canada Trust Tower, linked by the six-storey Allen Lambert Galleria. BCE Place is also the home of the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Allen Lambert Galleria, sometimes described as the "crystal cathedral of commerce", was designed by Spanish architect [[Santiago Calatrava]]. It is one of the most photographed spaces in Toronto's financial district, and is heavily featured as a backdrop for TV and film productions.
 
 
 
[[Commerce Court]] is a cluster of four office buildings located in the financial district on King Street and Bay Street. The first building, now known as Commerce Court North, was built in 1930 as the headquarters of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, a precursor bank to the current main tenant. Designed by the firm Pearson and Darling, the 34-storey tower was the tallest building in the British Empire/Commonwealth until 1962. At the time of its construction, the building was one of the most opulent corporate headquarters in Canada. In 1972, three other buildings were erected, thus creating the Commerce Court complex: Commerce Court West designed by [[I. M. Pei]] (the tallest building in the complex, at 57 storeys, and the tallest building in Canada from 1972-1976), Commerce Court East (14 storeys), and Commerce Court South (5 storeys).
 
 
 
[[Mies van der Rohe]]'s [[Toronto Dominion Centre]] (66 Wellington St W), is a black modernist complex of six imposing towers. The tallest office building in the city is [[First Canadian Place]], which is 72-storeys high, was constructed in 1976 and has an antenna height of 355 metres (1,165 ft).
 
 
 
Toronto is a city of high-rises, having 1,892 buildings over 90m (300') 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). 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.
 
 
 
===New and recently renovated buildings===
 
 
 
[[Daniel Libeskind]] has redesigned the internationally recognized [[Royal Ontario Museum]], North America's fifth largest. Libeskind reinvented Canada's largest museum as a series of enormous “crystals” that will rise dramatically five storeys from the street surface.
 
 
 
[[Frank Gehry]]'s redesign of the [[Art Gallery of Ontario]] will completely alter the museum inside and out. The new front façade of the gallery will become an exercise in transparency, with the upper level transformed into a new sculpture court.
 
 
 
A recent arrival on the Toronto skyline is [[Will Alsop]]’s “tabletop” at the [[Ontario College of Art and Design]] on [[McCaul Street]]. This spectacular structure consists of a two-storey rectangle suspended about 40 metres above ground on brightly coloured steel legs.
 
 
 
In June 2006, the [[Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts]] opened as the new home of the [[Canadian Opera Company]] and The [[National Ballet of Canada]]. Designed by Diamond Schmitt, the 2,000 seat opera house has a European style tiered horseshoe-shaped auditorium.
 
 
 
The [[University of Toronto]] campus is another site of major change. Since 2001, Canada’s largest university has expanded adding many new buildings. Included are a number of residences and faculty buildings designed by the noted [[Norman Foster]] and [[Günter Behnisch]]. The main buildings, the [http://www.greatspaces.utoronto.ca/projects/pharmacy.htm/ Leslie Dan Pharmaceutical Building] (Foster) and the Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research (Behnisch), are lantern-like towers that bring the university happily into the modern age.
 
 
 
Other major projects have recently taken place at the [http://www.gardinermuseum.on.ca/ Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art], the [[Royal Conservatory of Music]] and the [[National Ballet School of Canada]]. These were designed by Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg, a firm that is playing a major role in transforming Toronto architecture.
 
  
===Residential===
+
BCE Place is an office complex in downtown Toronto, which consists of two towers, the Bay Wellington Tower and the TD Canada Trust Tower, linked by the six-storey Allen Lambert Galleria. BCE Place is also the home of the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Allen Lambert Galleria, sometimes described as the "crystal cathedral of commerce," was designed by Spanish architect [[Santiago Calatrava]]. It is one of the most photographed spaces in Toronto's financial district, and is heavily featured as a backdrop for TV and film productions.
[[Image:Toronto Row Houses.JPG|left|thumb|[[Row houses]] line a residential street in urban Toronto.]]
 
  
The many residential communities of Toronto express a character distinct from that of the skyscrapers in the commercial core. [[Victorian era|Victorian]] and [[Edwardian]]-era residential buildings can be found in enclaves such as [[Rosedale, Toronto|Rosedale]], [[Forest Hill, Toronto|Forest Hill]], [[Cabbagetown, Toronto|Cabbagetown]], [[the Annex]], [[the Bridle Path]] and [[Moore Park, Toronto|Moore Park]].
+
[[Image:Toronto central business district.jpg|thumb|right|View of skyscrapers in the Financial District from the CN Tower.]]
  
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)|Casa Loma]] neighbourhood is named after [[Casa Loma]], a medieval castle built in 1911 that had an elevator, secret passages, and bowling alleys. [[Spadina House]] is a 19th century [[manor house|manor]] that is now a museum.
+
Toronto is a city of high-rises, having 1,892 buildings over 90m (300') in height, second only to [[New York City]] (which has over 5,000 such buildings) in North America. Most of these buildings are residential (either rental or condominium). 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 carbon dioxide (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 neighborhoods.
  
===Neighbourhoods===
+
The various residential communities of Toronto express a character distinct from that of the skyscrapers in the commercial core. [[Victorian era|Victorian]] and [[Edwardian]]-era residential buildings can be found in enclaves such as Rosedale, Forest Hill, Cabbagetown, the Annex, the Bridle Path and Moore Park.
{{seealso|List of neighbourhoods in Toronto}}
 
  
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: '''[[East York, Ontario|East York]]''' | '''[[Etobicoke, Ontario|Etobicoke]]''' | '''[[North York, Ontario|North York]]''' | '''[[Old Toronto, Ontario|Old Toronto]]''' | '''[[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]]''' | '''[[York, Ontario|York]]'''.
+
Wychwood Park is historically significant for the architecture of its homes, and for being one of Toronto's earliest planned communities. The Wychwood Park neighborhood was designated as an Ontario Heritage Conservation district in 1985. The Casa Loma neighbourhood is named after Casa Loma, a medieval [[castle]] built in 1911 that had an elevator, secret passages, and bowling alleys. Spadina House is a nineteenth century manor that is now a [[museum]].  
  
[[Image:Toronto central business district.jpg|thumb|right|View of skyscrapers in the Financial District from the [[CN Tower]].]]
+
The Old City of Toronto covers the area generally known as Downtown. It is the historical core of Toronto and remains the msot densely-populated part of the city. The Financial District of Bay Street contains the largest cluster of [[skyscraper]]s in Canada. Other neighborhoods in the central city retain an ethnic identity, including two [[Overseas Chinese|Chinatowns]], the popular [[Greektown]] area, the very trendy Little Italy, Portugal Village, Little Jamaica, Little Mogadishu and Little India along with others.
  
The [[Old Toronto, Ontario|Old City of Toronto]] covers the area generally known as [[Downtown Toronto|Downtown]]. 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 [[BCE 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|Yorkville]], [[Rosedale, Toronto|Rosedale]], [[The Annex]], [[Forest Hill, Toronto|Forest Hill]], [[Lawrence Park, Toronto|Lawrence Park]], Lytton Park, [[Moore Park, Toronto|Moore Park]], and [[Casa Loma - Neighbourhood|Casa Loma]], 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-rise]]s, such as [[St. James Town]], [[Regent Park]], [[Moss Park]], Alexandra Park and [[Parkdale, Toronto|Parkdale]]. East and west of Downtown, neighbourhoods such as [[Kensington Market]], [[Leslieville]], [[Cabbagetown]] and [[Riverdale, Toronto|Riverdale]] 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|Chinatowns]], the popular [[Greektown, Toronto|Greektown]] area, the very trendy [[Little Italy, Toronto|Little Italy]], [[Portugal Village, Toronto|Portugal Village]], [[Eglinton West|Little Jamaica]], Little Mogadishu and Little India along with others.
+
One of Toronto's most unique neighborhoods, the Distillery District contains the largest and best-preserved collection of [[Victorian]] 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 with Scarborough and Etobicoke, although not to the extent that they once did.
  
[[Image:Day5spadinamorning.JPG|thumb|left|View of rows of houses, from a Spadina Avenue penthouse facing west.]]
+
==Culture and Tourism==
The inner suburbs are contained within the former municipalities of [[York, Ontario|York]] and [[East York, Ontario|East York]]. 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]] and [[Weston, Toronto|Weston]] consist of mainly high-rise apartments which are home to many new immigrant families. Recently, many neighbourhoods have became 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.
 
  
[[Image:Toronto Summer Night.jpg|thumb|right|Downtown Toronto as seen from the north on a clear summer night.]]
+
Toronto is a major scene for [[theatre]] and other [[performing arts]], with more than 50 [[ballet]] and [[dance]] companies, six [[opera]] companies, and two [[symphony orchestra]]s. 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,<ref>[http://www.ontarioplace.com/en/Cinesphere/index.html The World's First Permanent IMAX Theatre] Retrieved on 2007-05-02.</ref> 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.
The outer suburbs comprising the former municipalities of [[Etobicoke, Ontario|Etobicoke]], [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]] and [[North York, Ontario|North York]] 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|Mimico]], [[Newtonbrook, Ontario|Newtonbrook]] and [[West Hill, Ontario|West Hill]]. Suburban development grew quickly after the second war to include such upscale neighbourhoods as the [[Bridle Path, Toronto|Bridle Path]] 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|Don Mills]], parts of which were first built in the 1950s.<ref>"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|05-02]].</ref> 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]] 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 with 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 Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners, Plant Architect, Adrian Blackwell and Peter Lindsay Schaudt Landscape Architect (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]].<ref>{{cite web
 
| url = http://www.toronto.ca/waterfront/newsrel060206.htm
 
| title = West 8 Wins Waterfront Corp. Design Competition
 
| work = City of Toronto: News releases
 
| date = [[2006-06-02]]
 
| accessdate = 2007-03-18
 
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 
| url = http://www.dtah.com/waterfront/
 
| title = The Multiple Waterfront
 
| author = du Toit Allsopp Hiller
 
| accessdate = 2007-03-18
 
}}</ref>
 
 
 
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==
 
[[Image:Roy Thomson Hall.JPG|left|thumb|[[Roy Thomson Hall]], home of the [[Toronto Symphony Orchestra]].]]
 
 
 
{{main|Culture in Toronto}}
 
<!--Please add content to this "main" article, not here! Thank you.—>
 
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]],<ref>[http://www.ontarioplace.com/en/Cinesphere/index.html The World's First Permanent IMAX Theatre] Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[May 2|05-02]].</ref> 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.
 
 
[[Image:Hockey Hall of Fame.JPG|right|thumb|The [[Hockey Hall of Fame]], housed in a former bank erected in 1885, is located at the intersection of Front Street and Yonge Street in Downtown Toronto.]]
 
[[Image:Hockey Hall of Fame.JPG|right|thumb|The [[Hockey Hall of Fame]], 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 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 important annual events for the international film industry. Europe's largest film studio, [[Pinewood Studios]] Group of London, is scheduled to open a major new film studio complex in west-end Toronto, with five sound stages, with the first two to open by fall 2008.
+
Toronto's Caribana festival takes place from mid-July to early August of every summer, and is one of North America's largest street festivals.<ref name=Caribana>[http://www.caribana.com Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana) Festival 2006], ''WORD'' Magazine (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-11.</ref> For the most part, Caribana is based on the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, and the first Caribana took place in 1967 when the city's [[Caribbean]] community celebrated Canada's Centennial year. Forty years later, it has grown to attract one million people to Toronto's Lake Shore Boulevard annually. Tourism for the festival is in the hundred thousands, and each year, the event brings in about $300 million.
  
Toronto's [[Caribana]] festival takes place from mid-July to early August of every summer, and is one of North America's largest street festivals.<ref name=Caribana>[http://www.caribana.com Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana) Festival 2006], WORD Magazine (2006). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 11|12-11]].</ref> For the most part, Caribana is based on the [[Trinidad and Tobago Carnival]], and the first Caribana took place in 1967 when the city's [[Caribbean]] community celebrated [[Canada's Centennial]] year. 40 years later, it has grown to attract one million people to Toronto's [[Lake Shore Boulevard]] annually. Tourism for the festival is in the hundred thousands, and each year, the event brings in about $300 million.
+
[[Image:DundasSquareEatonCentreatnight.JPG|right|thumb|Dundas Square and the Eaton Centre at night.]]
  
===Tourism===
+
The [[Royal Ontario Museum]] (ROM) is a major museum for world culture and natural history. The Toronto Zoo. The [[Art Gallery of Ontario]] contains a large collection of Canadian, European, African and contemporary artwork. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art which is the only museum in Canada entirely devoted to ceramics and the Museum's collection contains more than 2,900 ceramic works from Asia, the Americas, and Europe. The Ontario Science Centre always has new hands-on activities and science displays particularly appealing to children, and the Bata Shoe Museum also features many unique exhibitions. The Don Valley Brick Works is a former industrial site, which opened in 1889, and has recently been restored as a park and heritage site. The Canadian National Exhibition is held annually at Exhibition Place. It is Canada's largest annual fair and the fifth largest in the world, with an average attendance of 1.3 million.<ref>[http://www.theex.com/site.php?menu=06:01 CNE - About Us], ''Canadian National Exhibition'' (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-29.</ref>
[[Image:DundasSquareEatonCentreatnight.JPG|right|thumb|[[Dundas Square]] and the Eaton Centre at night.]]
 
{{main|Attractions in Toronto}}
 
{{seealso|Category:Buildings and structures in Toronto}}
 
Toronto's most prominent landmark is the [[CN Tower]], which currently stands as the tallest free-standing land structure in the world at 553 metres (1,815 ft).<ref name="Emporis">
 
{{cite news
 
|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/nc/ne/?id=101602
 
|first=Edward
 
|last=Chamberlain
 
|title=CN Tower Marks 30 Years At The Top
 
|publisher=[[Emporis|Emporis Buildings]]
 
|date=[[2006-12-08]]
 
}}</ref>
 
  
The [[Royal Ontario Museum]] (ROM) is a major museum for [[Culture by region|world culture]] and [[natural history]]. The [[Toronto Zoo]]. The [[Art Gallery of Ontario]] contains a large collection of Canadian, European, African and contemporary artwork. [[Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art]] which is the only museum in Canada entirely devoted to ceramics and the Museum's collection contains more than 2,900 ceramic works from Asia, the Americas, and Europe. The [[Ontario Science Centre]] always has new hands-on activities and science displays particularly appealing to children, and the [[Bata Shoe Museum]] also features many unique exhibitions. The [[Don Valley Brick Works]] is a former industrial site, which opened in 1889, and has recently been restored as a park and heritage site. The [[Canadian National Exhibition]] is held annually at [[Exhibition Place]], and it is the oldest annual fair in the world. It is Canada's largest annual fair and the fifth largest in the world, with an average attendance of 1.3 million.<ref>[http://www.theex.com/site.php?menu=06:01 CNE - About Us], [[Canadian National Exhibition]] (2006). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 29|12-29]].</ref>
+
The Yorkville neighborhood is one of Toronto's most elegant shopping and dining areas. On many occasions, celebrities from all over North America can be spotted in the area, especially during the [[Toronto International Film Festival]]. The Toronto Eaton Centre is one of North America's top shopping destinations, and Toronto's most popular [[tourist]] attraction with over one million visitors per week.
 
 
The [[Yorkville]] neighbourhood is one of Toronto's most elegant shopping and dining areas. On many occasions, celebrities from all over North America can be spotted in the area, especially during the [[Toronto International Film Festival]]. The [[Toronto Eaton Centre]] is one of North America's top shopping destinations, and Toronto's most popular tourist attraction with over 1 million visitors per week.
 
  
 
[[Image:Greektown at Christmas.jpg|thumb|left|[[Greektown, Toronto|Greektown]] brightens Christmas and winter at Alexander the Great park.]]
 
[[Image:Greektown at Christmas.jpg|thumb|left|[[Greektown, Toronto|Greektown]] brightens Christmas and winter at Alexander the Great park.]]
 
[[Image:TasteOfTheDanforth2007.jpg|thumb|Aromas from around the world tempt crowds at Taste of the Danforth in Greektown.]]
 
[[Image:TasteOfTheDanforth2007.jpg|thumb|Aromas from around the world tempt crowds at Taste of the Danforth in Greektown.]]
[[Greektown, Toronto|Greektown]] on the Danforth, is another one of the major attractions of Toronto which boasts one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per kilometre in the world. It is also home to the annual "[[Greektown, Toronto#Taste of the Danforth|Taste of the Danforth]]" festival which attracts over one million people in 2 1/2 days. Toronto is also home to Canada's most famous castle - [[Casa Loma]], the former estate of [[Henry Pellatt|Sir Henry Pellatt]], a prominent Toronto financier, industrialist and military man. Other notable neighbourhoods and attractions include [[The Beaches]], the [[Toronto Islands]], [[Kensington Market]], [[Fort York]], and the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]].
+
Greektown on the Danforth, is another one of the major attractions of Toronto which boasts one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per kilometre in the world. It is also home to the annual "Taste of the Danforth" festival which attracts over one million people in two and a half days. Toronto is also home to Canada's most famous [[castle]] - Casa Loma, the former estate of Sir [[Henry Pellatt]], a prominent Toronto financier, industrialist and military man. Other notable neighborhoods and attractions include The Beaches, the Toronto Islands, Kensington Market, Fort York, and the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]].
  
===Sports===
+
==Economy==
[[Image:Air Canada Centre from CN Tower.jpg|thumb|View of the [[Air Canada Centre]] from the [[CN Tower]].]]{{main|Professional sport in Toronto|List of sports teams in Toronto}}
+
[[Image:Bay Street.jpg|left|thumb|Bay Street, looking south from its intersection with [[Queen Street West]].]]
  
Toronto is the only Canadian city with representation in six [[major league sports]] through [[National Hockey League]], [[Major League Baseball]], [[National Lacrosse League]], [[National Basketball Association]], [[Canadian Football League]] and [[Major League Soccer]] teams. The major sports complexes include the [[Air Canada Centre]], [[Rogers Centre]] (formerly known as [[SkyDome]]) and [[BMO Field]].
+
Toronto is a major international centre for business and finance. Generally considered the financial capital of Canada, Toronto has a high concentration of banks and brokerage firms on Bay Street, the city's main financial street. The Toronto Stock Exchange is the world's sixth-largest stock exchange by market capitalization.<ref>[http://www.2ontario.com/welcome/bcfs_400.asp Market Statistics] ''Toronto Stock Exchange'' (2006). Retrieved on 2007-05-11.</ref> All of the Big Five banks of Canada are headquartered in Toronto.
  
In addition to team sports, both [[thoroughbred]] and [[Standardbred horse|standardbred]] [[horseracing]] are conducted at [[Woodbine Race Track]] in [[Rexdale]].
+
The city is an important centre for the [[mass media|media]], [[publishing]], [[telecommunications]], [[information technology]] and [[film production]] industries. Although much of the region's manufacturing activities take place outside the city limits, Toronto continues to be an important wholesale and distribution point for the industrial sector. The city's strategic position along the [[Quebec City-Windsor Corridor]] and its extensive road and rail connections help support the nearby production of [[motor vehicles]], [[iron]], [[steel]], food, [[machinery]], [[chemicals]] and [[paper]]. The completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959 gave ships access to the [[Great Lakes]] from the [[Atlantic Ocean]].
  
Toronto is home to the [[International Bowl]], an [[NCAA]] sanctioned post-season football game that puts a [[Mid-American Conference]] team against a [[Big East Conference]] team. Beginning in 2007, the game is played at the [[Rogers Centre]] annually in January.
+
==Infrastructure==
 +
===Health and medicine===
 +
[[Image:Hospital for Sick Children Atrium.jpg|thumb|right|Atrium of the Hospital for Sick Children. Designed by Eberhard Zeidler.]]
  
Historic sports clubs of Toronto include the Granite Club (est. 1836), the Royal Canadian Yacht Club (est. 1852), the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club (est. pre-1827), the Argonaut Rowing Club (est. 1872), the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club (est. 1881), and the Badminton and Racquet Club (est. 1924).  
+
Toronto is home to at least 20 [[hospital]]s, and is a center of research in [[biomedicine]]. Toronto is also home to the ''Medical and Related Sciences Centre (MaRS)'',<ref name=mars>[http://www.marsdd.com/ Medical and Related Sciences Centre], ''Medical and Related Sciences Centre'' (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-05.</ref> which was created in 2000 to capitalize on the research and innovation strength of the Province of Ontario. Another institute is the ''McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine (MCMM)''.<ref name=mole> McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine (MCMM), ''McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine'' (2006).</ref>
  
====Professional sports teams====
+
===Transportation===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
+
[[Image:Union Station, Toronto.jpg|thumb|right|The main entrance of the Beaux-Arts style Union Station built in 1927.]]
|+ <!-- initially sorted by date established —>
 
|-
 
! scope="col" | Club
 
! scope="col" | League
 
! scope="col" | Sport
 
! scope="col" | Venue
 
! scope="col" | Established
 
! scope="col" | Championships
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Toronto Argonauts]]
 
| [[Canadian Football League|CFL]]
 
| [[Canadian football|Football]]
 
| [[Rogers Centre]]
 
| 1873 <br /> <small></small>
 
| 15</td>
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
 
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
 
| [[Ice hockey]]
 
| [[Air Canada Centre]]
 
| 1917
 
| 13
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Toronto Maple Leafs (baseball)|Toronto Maple Leafs]]
 
| [[Intercounty Baseball League|IBL]]
 
| [[Baseball]]
 
| [[Christie Pits]]
 
| 1969
 
| 7
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Toronto Blue Jays]]
 
| [[Major League Baseball|MLB]]
 
| [[Baseball]]
 
| [[Rogers Centre]]
 
| 1977
 
| 2
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Toronto Raptors]]
 
| [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
 
| [[Basketball]]
 
| [[Air Canada Centre]]
 
| 1995
 
| 0
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Toronto Rock]]
 
| [[National Lacrosse League|NLL]]
 
| [[Box lacrosse]]
 
| [[Air Canada Centre]]
 
| 1998
 
| 5
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Toronto Xtreme]]
 
| [[Rugby Canada Super League|RCSL]]
 
| [[Rugby union|Rugby]]
 
| [[Fletcher's Field]]
 
| 1999
 
| 0
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Toronto Marlies]]
 
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
 
| [[Ice hockey]]
 
| [[Ricoh Coliseum]]
 
| 2005
 
| 0
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Toronto FC]]
 
| [[Major League Soccer|MLS]]
 
| [[Soccer]]
 
| [[BMO Field]]
 
| 2007
 
| 0</td>
 
|}
 
  
[[Image:CentreFieldEastFinalsm.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Panoramic view of an [[Toronto Argonauts|Argonauts]] game at [[Rogers Centre]].]]
+
====Public transit network====
 +
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the third largest [[public transit]] system in North America after the New York City Transit Authority, and [[Mexico City]] Metro.<ref name=TTCstats>[http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1122072619227_40/?hub=CTVNewsAt11 Toronto transit chief says searches unlikely] (2005). Retrieved on 2007-02-03.</ref> The Government of Ontario operates an extensive rail and bus transit system called GO Transit that links the neighboring cities and suburbs with the City of Toronto. Thirty-eight trains on seven train lines run 179 trips, and carry over 160,000 passengers a day. An additional 288 buses feed the main rail lines. The TTC provides public transit within the City of Toronto. Its backbone is the city's [[subway system]], which includes the "U"-shaped north-south Yonge-University-Spadina line, the east-west Bloor-Danforth line, the east-west Sheppard line through the northern part of the city, and the Scarborough RT line running through the eastern part of the city (Scarborough). The TTC also operates an extensive network of buses and streetcars.
  
===Media===
+
====Airports====
[[Image:CBC Centre.JPG|right|thumb|The [[Canadian Broadcasting Centre]].]]
+
Canada's busiest [[airport]], Toronto Pearson International Airport ([[IATA airport code|IATA]]: YYZ), straddles the city's western boundary with the suburban city of Mississauga. Limited commercial and passenger service is also offered from the Toronto City Centre Airport (usually called the "Island Airport"), located on the Toronto Islands. Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport in Markham provides general aviation facilities. Downsview Airport, near the city's north end, is owned by de Havilland Canada and serves the Bombardier Aerospace aircraft factory.
{{seealso|List of media outlets in Toronto}}
 
Toronto is Canada's largest media market,<ref>[http://www.mediajobsearchcanada.com/mjsc_press.asp Media Job Search Canada] Media Job Search Canada (2003). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[May 8|05-08]].</ref> and the fourth largest media centre in North America (behind [[New York City]], [[Los Angeles]] and [[Chicago]]), with four conventional dailies and two free commuter papers in a greater metropolitan area of about 5.5 million inhabitants. The ''[[Toronto Star]]'' and the ''[[Toronto Sun]]'' are the prominent daily city newspapers, while the national dailies ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' and the ''[[National Post]]'' are also headquartered in the city. Toronto contains the headquarters of the major English-language Canadian television networks, including the English-language branch of the national public broadcaster [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] (CBC), the largest private broadcaster [[CTV]], and the flagship stations of [[Citytv]] and [[Global TV|Global]]. Canada's premier sports television networks are also based in Toronto, including [[The Sports Network]] (TSN), [[Rogers Sportsnet]] and [[The Score (TV channel)|The Score]]. The bulk of Canada's periodical publishing industry is centred in Toronto including magazines such as ''[[Maclean's]]'', ''[[Chatelaine]]'', ''[[Flare]]'', ''[[Canadian Living]]'', ''[[Canadian Business]]'', and ''[[Toronto Life]]''.
 
 
 
==Economy==
 
[[Image:Bay Street.jpg|left|thumb|Bay Street, looking south from its intersection with [[Queen Street West]].]]
 
{{main|Economy of Toronto}}
 
 
 
Toronto is a major international centre for business and finance. Generally considered the financial capital of Canada, Toronto has a high concentration of banks and brokerage firms on [[Bay Street]], the city's main financial street. The [[Toronto Stock Exchange]] is the world's [[List of stock exchanges|sixth-largest]] stock exchange by market capitalization.<ref>[http://www.2ontario.com/welcome/bcfs_400.asp Market Statistics] Toronto Stock Exchange (2006). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[May 11|05-11]].</ref> All of the [[Big Five banks]] of Canada are headquartered in Toronto.
 
 
 
The city is an important centre for the [[mass media|media]], [[publishing]], [[telecommunications]], [[information technology]] and [[film production]] industries; it is home to [[Thomson Corporation]], [[CTVglobemedia]], [[Rogers Communications]], [[Alliance Atlantis]] and [[Celestica]]. Other prominent Canadian corporations in Toronto include [[Four Seasons Hotels]], the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] and [[Manulife Financial]].
 
 
 
Although much of the region's manufacturing activities take place outside the city limits, Toronto continues to be an important wholesale and distribution point for the industrial sector. The city's strategic position along the [[Quebec City-Windsor Corridor]] and its extensive road and rail connections help support the nearby production of [[motor vehicles]], [[iron]], [[steel]], food, [[machinery]], [[chemicals]] and [[paper]]. The completion of the [[St. Lawrence Seaway]] in 1959 gave ships access to the [[Great Lakes]] from the [[Atlantic Ocean]].
 
  
 
==Demographics==
 
==Demographics==
<!-- Removed visible minorities pie chart. Please see talk page "Visible minorities chart" before even thinking about "restoring" it, because it'll get deleted again the second I see it, until it's changed —>
 
<!-- When the 2006 Census data for age groups, minority groups, religious groups, etc., are released this reference will contain most of the data. PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO CHANGE accessdate= to the date you verify/post the 2006 data and cite the source (the main one anyway) to back it up as of the YYYY (year) MM (month padded with 0 if below 9) DD (day padded with 0 if below 9). Thanks! Um and dump this comment and don't forget to remove the "close comment" tags on the line below the ...}}</ref>
 
<ref name=2006CensCommun>{{cite web
 
| url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3520005&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=toronto&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=
 
| title=2006 Census Community Highlights, City of Toronto
 
| date=[[2007-03-13]]
 
| work=[[Statistics Canada]], 2006 Census of Population
 
| accessdate=YYYY-MM-DD}}
 
—>
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em; text-size:.8em; text-align:right"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em; text-size:.8em; text-align:right"
 
|+ Toronto population by year, within present boundaries
 
|+ Toronto population by year, within present boundaries
 
! Year !! City !! [[Census geographic units of Canada#Census metropolitan areas|CMA]] !! [[Greater Toronto Area|GTA]]
 
! Year !! City !! [[Census geographic units of Canada#Census metropolitan areas|CMA]] !! [[Greater Toronto Area|GTA]]
 
|-
 
|-
| align="center" | 1861 ||    65,085 || 193,844<ref name="historyfaq">{{cite web
+
| align="center" | 1861 ||    65,085 || 193,844<ref name="historyfaq">Toronto history FAQs: What was the population of Toronto in various years?
| url = http://www.toronto.ca/archives/toronto_history_faqs.htm#population
+
[http://www.toronto.ca/archives/toronto_history_faqs.htm#population] ''City of Toronto Archives'', accessdate 2007-03-18</ref>
| title = Toronto history FAQs: What was the population of Toronto in various years?
 
| work = City of Toronto Archives
 
| accessdate = 2007-03-18
 
}}</ref>
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| align="center" | 1901 ||  238,080 || 440,000<ref name="historyfaq" />
 
| align="center" | 1901 ||  238,080 || 440,000<ref name="historyfaq" />
Line 630: Line 215:
  
 
|-
 
|-
| align="center" | 1986 || 2,192,721 || 3,733,085<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/pdf/profile01.pdf] City of Toronto (1997). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[May 8|05-08]].</ref>
+
| align="center" | 1986 || 2,192,721 || 3,733,085<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/pdf/profile01.pdf] City of Toronto (1997). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.</ref>
 
|-
 
|-
| align="center" | 1991 || 2,275,771<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf/profile_tor_bulletin.pdf] City of Toronto (2003). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[May 8|05-08]].</ref> || 3,893,933<ref>{{cite web
+
| align="center" | 1991 || 2,275,771<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf/profile_tor_bulletin.pdf] City of Toronto (2003). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.</ref> || 3,893,933<ref>Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Metropolitan Areas in Decreasing Order of 1996 Population, 1991 and 1996 Censuses[http://www.statcan.ca/english/census96/table2.htm] ''Statistics Canada'', 2001-04-17, accessdate 2007-03-18</ref> || 4,235,756<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf/profile_tor_bulletin.pdf] ''City of Toronto'' (2003). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.</ref>
| url = http://www.statcan.ca/english/census96/table2.htm
 
| title = Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Metropolitan Areas in Decreasing Order of 1996 Population, 1991 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data
 
| publisher = [[Statistics Canada]]
 
| date = [[2001-04-17]]
 
| accessdate = 2007-03-18
 
}}</ref> || 4,235,756<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf/profile_tor_bulletin.pdf] City of Toronto (2003). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[May 8|05-08]].</ref>
 
  
 
|-
 
|-
| align="center" | 1996 || 2,385,421<ref name="2001censuspop">{{cite web
+
| align="center" | 1996 || 2,385,421<ref name="2001censuspop">Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Census Metropolitan Areas, Census Agglomerations and Census Subdivisions (Municipalities), 2001 and 1996 Censuses.  [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-C.cfm?CMA=535]
| url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-C.cfm?CMA=535
+
''Statistics Canada'', accessdate 2007-03-18</ref> || 4,235,759<ref name="2001censuspop" /> || 4,628,883<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf/profile_tor_bulletin.pdf] ''City of Toronto'' (2003). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.</ref>
| title = Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Census Metropolitan Areas, Census Agglomerations and Census Subdivisions (Municipalities), 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data
 
| publisher = [[Statistics Canada]]
 
| accessdate = 2007-03-18
 
}}</ref> || 4,235,759<ref name="2001censuspop" /> || 4,628,883<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf/profile_tor_bulletin.pdf] City of Toronto (2003). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[May 8|05-08]].</ref>
 
  
 
|-
 
|-
| align="center" | 2001 || 2,481,494<ref name="2006censuspop" /> || 4,682,897<ref name="2006censuspop" /> || 5,081,826<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf/profile_tor_bulletin.pdf] City of Toronto (2003). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[May 8|05-08]].</ref>
+
| align="center" | 2001 || 2,481,494<ref name="SC2011cd" /> || 4,682,897<ref name="SC2011cd" /> || 5,081,826<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf/profile_tor_bulletin.pdf] ''City of Toronto'' (2003). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.</ref>
 
|-
 
|-
| align="center" | 2006 || 2,503,281<ref name="2006censuspop" /> || 5,113,149<ref name="2006censuspop" /> || 5,555,912<ref>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=702&PR=35&SR=1&S=3&O=D] Statistics Canada (2006). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[May 8|05-08]].</ref>
+
| align="center" | 2006 || 2,503,281<ref name="SC2011cd" /> || 5,113,149<ref name="SC2011cd" /> || 5,555,912<ref>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=702&PR=35&SR=1&S=3&O=D] ''Statistics Canada'' (2006). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.</ref>
 
|}
 
|}
  
{{main|Demographics of Toronto}}
+
According to the [[United Nations Development Programme]], Toronto has the second-highest percentage of foreign-born population among world cities, after [[Miami, Florida]]. While Miami's foreign-born population consists mostly of [[Cubans]] and other [[Latin America]]ns, no single nationality or culture dominates Toronto's immigrant population. This diversity is reflected in Toronto's ethnic neighborhoods which include Little Italy, The Junction, Little Jamaica, Little India, Chinatown, Koreatown, Greektown, Greektown, Portugal Village, Portugal Village, Corso Italia, Kensington Market, and The Westway. [[Christianity]] is the largest religious group in Toronto.
  
The last complete [[Canada 2006 Census|census]] by [[Statistics Canada]] estimated there were 2,503,281 people residing in Toronto in June 2006.<ref name="2006censuspop" /> The city's population grew by 4% (96,073 residents) between 1996 and 2001, at an annualized rate of 0.8%. Persons aged 14 years and under made up 17.5% of the population, and those aged 65 years and over made up 13.6%. The [[median]] age was 36.9 years.
+
While [[English language|English]] is the predominant language spoken by Torontonians, many other languages have considerable numbers of local speakers, including [[French language|French]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]], [[Hindi]], and [[Urdu]].<ref name=lan3>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?Temporal=2001&PID=55539&METH=1&APATH=3&PTYPE=55440&THEME=41&FREE=0&AID=0&FOCUS=0&GID=431591&MEDIA=PRINT&SC=1&CPP=99&SR=1&RPP=9999&D1=0&D2=0&D3=0&D4=0&D5=0&D6=0 Various Languages Spoken - Toronto] CMA, ''Statistics Canada'' (2001). Retrieved on 2007-01-02.</ref> Italian is the second most widely spoken language at work.<ref name=lan>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/LanguageWork/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo=CMA&View=2&Table=1&Code=535&Sort=2&B1=&B2=1 Language used at work by mother tongue in Toronto] CMA, Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on 2006-12-05.</ref><ref name=lang2>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/LanguageWork/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo=CSD&View=4&Code=3520005&Table=1&StartRec=1&Sort=5&B1=Toronto&B2=1 Language used at work by mother tongue (City of Toronto)], ''Statistics Canada'' (2001). Retrieved on 2006-12-05.</ref> As a result, the city's 9-1-1 emergency services are equipped to respond in over 150 languages.<ref name="911service">''City of Toronto'' [http://www.toronto.ca/emerg/911.htm Emergency Services - 9-1-1 = EMERGENCY in any language] accessdate 2007-01-05}</ref>
 
 
As of 2001, 42.8% of the residents of the city proper belong to a [[visible minority]] group,<ref name=religion>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3520005&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=toronto&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= Community Highlights for Toronto], Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 5|12-05]].</ref> and visible minorities are projected to comprise a majority in Toronto by 2017.<ref name=minorityprojection>[http://www.statcan.ca:80/Daily/English/050322/d050322b.htm Canada's visible minority population in 2017], Statistics Canada (2005). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 5|12-05]].</ref> According to the [[United Nations Development Programme]], Toronto has the second-highest percentage of foreign-born population among world cities, after [[Miami, Florida]]. While Miami's foreign-born population consists mostly of [[Cubans]] and other [[Latin America]]ns, no single nationality or culture dominates Toronto's immigrant population.
 
 
 
In 2001, people of [[European]] ethnicities formed the largest cluster of ethnic groups in Toronto, 62.23%,<ref>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?Temporal=2001&PID=58628&METH=1&APATH=3&PTYPE=55440&THEME=44&FREE=0&AID=0&FOCUS=0&VID=0&GC=99&GK=NA&SC=1&CPP=99&SR=1&RL=0&RPP=9999&D1=0&D2=0&D3=0&D4=0&D5=0&D6=0&GID=431591] Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[May 8|05-08]].</ref> mostly of [[English people|English]], [[Scottish people|Scottish]], [[Irish people|Irish]], [[Italian people|Italian]], and [[French people|French]] origins, while the five largest visible minority groups in Toronto are [[Canadians of Chinese descent|Chinese]] (10.6%), [[South Asian]]/[[Indo-Caribbean]] (10.3%), [[Black Canadians|Black]]/[[Afro-Caribbean]] (8.3%), [[Canadians of Filipino descent|Filipino]] (3.5%) and [[Latino Canadian|Latin American]] (2.2%).<ref name=origin>[http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/demo27k.htm Population by selected ethnic origins for Toronto], Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 5|12-05]].</ref> This diversity is reflected in Toronto's ethnic neighbourhoods which include [[Little Italy, Toronto|Little Italy]], [[The Junction]], [[Little Jamaica]], [[Gerrard Street East|Little India]], [[Chinatown, Toronto|Chinatown]], [[Koreatown, Toronto|Koreatown]], [[Greektown, Toronto|Greektown]], [[Portugal Village, Toronto|Portugal Village]], [[Corso Italia]], [[Kensington Market]], and [[The Westway]].
 
 
 
[[Christianity]] is the largest religious group in Toronto. The 2001 Census reports that 31.1% of the city's population is [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]], followed by [[Protestant]] at 21.1%, [[Christian Orthodox]] at 4.8%, and other Christians at 3.9%. Other religions in the city are [[Islam]] (6.7%), [[Hinduism]] (4.8%), [[Judaism]] (4.2%), [[Buddhism]] (2.7%), [[Sikhism]] (0.9%), and other [[Eastern Religion]]s (0.2%). 18.7% of the population professes [[Nontheism|no faith]].<ref name=religion>>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3520005&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=toronto&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= Community Highlights for Toronto], Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 5|12-05]].</ref>
 
 
 
While [[English language|English]] is the predominant language spoken by Torontonians, many other languages have considerable numbers of local speakers, including [[French language|French]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]], [[Hindi]], and [[Urdu]].<ref name=lan3>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?Temporal=2001&PID=55539&METH=1&APATH=3&PTYPE=55440&THEME=41&FREE=0&AID=0&FOCUS=0&GID=431591&MEDIA=PRINT&SC=1&CPP=99&SR=1&RPP=9999&D1=0&D2=0&D3=0&D4=0&D5=0&D6=0 Various Languages Spoken - Toronto] [[Census metropolitan area|CMA]], Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[January 2|01-02]].</ref> Italian is the second most widely spoken language at work.<ref name=lan>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/LanguageWork/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo=CMA&View=2&Table=1&Code=535&Sort=2&B1=&B2=1 Language used at work by mother tongue in Toronto] [[Census metropolitan area|CMA]], Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 5|12-05]].</ref><ref name=lang2>[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/LanguageWork/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo=CSD&View=4&Code=3520005&Table=1&StartRec=1&Sort=5&B1=Toronto&B2=1 Language used at work by mother tongue (City of Toronto)], Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 5|12-05]].</ref> As a result, the city's [[9-1-1]] emergency services are equipped to respond in over 150 languages.<ref name="911service">{{cite web | title =City of Toronto: Emergency Services - 9-1-1 = EMERGENCY in any language | publisher = City of Toronto | url =http://www.toronto.ca/emerg/911.htm | accessdate = 2007-01-05}}</ref>
 
  
 
==Government==
 
==Government==
[[Image:Nathan Phillips Square Front.jpg|thumb|right|[[Toronto City Hall]] viewed from [[Nathan Phillips Square]].]]
+
[[Image:Nathan Phillips Square Front.jpg|thumb|right|Toronto City Hall viewed from Nathan Phillips Square.]]
{{main|Municipal government of Toronto}}
 
{{further|[[Politics of Toronto]]}}
 
  
Toronto is a [[single-tier municipality]] governed by a [[Mayor-council government|mayor-council system]]. The structure of the municipal government is stipulated by the [[City of Toronto Act]]. The [[Mayor of Toronto]] is elected by direct popular vote to serve as the [[Head of government|chief executive]] of the city. The [[Toronto City Council]] is a [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] legislative body, comprising 44 councillors representing geographical [[Ward (politics)|wards]] throughout the city. The mayor and members of the city council serve four-year terms without [[term limit]]s. (Prior to the [[Toronto municipal election, 2006|2006 municipal election]], the mayor and city councillors served three-year terms.)
+
Toronto is a single-tier municipality governed by a mayor-council system. The structure of the municipal government is stipulated by the City of Toronto Act. The Mayor of Toronto is elected by direct popular vote to serve as the chief executive of the city. The Toronto City Council is a [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] legislative body, comprising 44 councillors representing geographical [[Ward (politics)|wards]] throughout the city. The [[mayor]] and members of the city council serve four-year terms without term limits. (Prior to the 2006 municipal election, the mayor and city councillors served three-year terms.)
  
At the start of the 2007 term, the city council will have seven standing committees, each consisting of a [[Chairman|chair]], a vice-chair and four other councillors. The Mayor names the committee chairs and the remaining membership of the committees is appointed by City Council.<ref name="committees">{{cite web
+
At the start of the 2007 term, the city council had seven standing committees, each consisting of a [[Chairman|chair]], a vice-chair and four other councillors. The Mayor named the committee chairs and the remaining membership of the committees is appointed by City Council.<ref name="committees">City Council names Speaker and members to Standing Committees, Agencies, Boards and Commissions. [http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2006/06/c4652.html]
| url = http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2006/06/c4652.html
+
''CNW Group'' 2006-12-06, accessdate 2007-03-18</ref>  
| title = City Council names Speaker and members to Standing Committees, Agencies, Boards and Commissions
 
| publisher = [[CNW Group]]
 
| date = [[2006-12-06]]
 
| accessdate = 2007-03-18
 
}}</ref> An executive committee is formed by the chairs of each of standing committee, in addition to the mayor, the deputy mayor and four other councillors. Councillors are also appointed to oversee the [[Toronto Transit Commission]] and the [[Toronto Police Services Board]].
 
  
There are about 40 subcommittees, advisory committees and [[round table]]s within the city council. These bodies are made up of city councillors and private citizen volunteers. Examples include the Pedestrian Committee, Waste Diversion Task Force 2010, and the [[Task Force to Bring Back the Don]].<ref>{{cite web
+
Toronto had an operating budget of [[Canadian dollar|C$]]7.6 billion in 2006.<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/budget2006/index.htm 2006 City Budget] ''City of Toronto''2006.
| url = http://www.toronto.ca/committees/directory.htm
+
accessdate 2007-03-18</ref> The city receives funding from the Government of Ontario in addition to tax revenues and user fees, spending 36 percent on provincially-mandated programs, 53 percent on major municipal purposes such as the Toronto Public Library and the Toronto [[Zoo]], and 11 percent on capital financing and non-program expenditures.<ref> [http://www.toronto.ca/budget2006/pdf/2006operatingbackgrounder_revised.pdf 2006 Operating Budget] ''City of Toronto'' 2006, accessdate 2007-03-18</ref>
| title = Directory of committees, task forces and round tables
 
| publisher = City of Toronto
 
| accessdate = 2007-03-18
 
}}</ref> Additionally, the city has four community councils that make recommendations on local matters to the city council, but possess no final authority. Each city councillor serves as a member on a community council.
 
 
 
Toronto had an operating budget of [[Canadian dollar|C$]]7.6 billion in 2006.<ref>{{cite web
 
| url = http://www.toronto.ca/budget2006/index.htm
 
| title = 2006 City Budget
 
| publisher = City of Toronto
 
| year = 2006
 
| accessdate = 2007-03-18
 
}}</ref> The city receives funding from the [[Government of Ontario]] in addition to tax revenues and user fees, spending 36% on provincially-mandated programs, 53% on major municipal purposes such as the [[Toronto Public Library]] and the [[Toronto Zoo]], and 11% on capital financing and non-program expenditures.<ref>{{cite web
 
| url = http://www.toronto.ca/budget2006/pdf/2006operatingbackgrounder_revised.pdf
 
| title = 2006 Operating Budget
 
| publisher = City of Toronto
 
| year = 2006
 
| accessdate = 2007-03-18
 
}}</ref>
 
  
 
==Education==
 
==Education==
[[Image:Old Vic in UofT.jpg|right|thumb|The main building of [[Victoria University in the University of Toronto|Victoria College]] in the [[University of Toronto]].]]
+
[[Image:Old Vic in UofT.jpg|right|thumb|The main building of Victoria College in the [[University of Toronto]].]]
{{main|Education in Toronto}}
 
Toronto is home to a diverse range of public and private educational institutions. The [[Toronto District School Board]] operates 451 [[public school]]s and 102 Secondary or [[high schools]]. This makes the [[TDSB]] the largest [[school board]] in Canada. Additionally, the [[Toronto Catholic District School Board]] manages the city's publicly-funded [[Roman Catholic]] schools, while the [[Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest]] and the [[Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud]] manages public and [[Roman Catholic]] [[French-language]] schools. There are also numerous private [[university-preparatory school]]s, such as [[Toronto French School]], [[College of Toronto]], [[Havergal College]], [[Bishop Strachan School]], [[St. Michael's College School]], [[De La Salle College (Toronto)|De La Salle College]], [[Upper Canada College]], [[St. Clement's School]], [[Branksome Hall]], [[University of Toronto Schools]] and [[Crescent School]].
 
  
The [[University of Toronto]], established in 1827, is the oldest university in the province of Ontario and a leading public research institution. It is a worldwide leader in biomedical research and houses North America's third largest library system, notably after [[Harvard University]] and [[Yale University]]. The city is also home to [[Ryerson University]], [[York University]] and the [[Ontario College of Art & Design]].
+
Toronto is home to a diverse range of public and private educational institutions. The Toronto District School Board operates 451 [[public school]]s and 102 Secondary or [[high schools]]. This makes the TDSB the largest [[school board]] in Canada. Additionally, the Toronto Catholic District School Board manages the city's publicly-funded [[Roman Catholic]] schools, while the Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest and the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud manages public and Roman Catholic French-language schools. There are also numerous private university-preparatory schools.
  
There are five diploma-granting [[community colleges]] in Toronto: [[Seneca College]], [[Humber College]], [[Centennial College]], [[Sheridan College]] and [[George Brown College]]. The [[Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto)|Royal Conservatory of Music]], which includes [[The Glenn Gould School]], is a major [[music school]] located in downtown. The [[Canadian Film Centre]] is a film, television and new media training institute founded by filmmaker [[Norman Jewison]].
+
The [[University of Toronto]], established in 1827, is the oldest university in the province of Ontario and a leading public research institution. It is a worldwide leader in [[biomedical research]] and houses North America's third largest [[library]] system, notably after [[Harvard University]] and [[Yale University]]. The city is also home to [[Ryerson University]], [[York University]] and the Ontario College of Art & Design.
  
The [[Toronto Public Library]] is the largest [[public library]] system in Canada, consisting of 99 branches with more than 11 million items in its collection.
+
There are five diploma-granting community colleges in Toronto. The Royal Conservatory of Music, which includes The Glenn Gould School, is a major [[music school]] located in downtown. The Canadian Film Centre is a film, television and new media training institute founded by filmmaker Norman Jewison.
 
 
==Infrastructure==
 
===Health and medicine===
 
[[Image:Hospital for Sick Children Atrium.jpg|thumb|right|Atrium of the [[Hospital for Sick Children]]. Designed by [[Eberhard Zeidler]].]]
 
{{seealso|List of hospitals in Toronto}}
 
  
Toronto is home to at least 20 hospitals, including the [[Hospital for Sick Children]], [[Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto|Mount Sinai Hospital]], [[Toronto St. Michael's Hospital|St. Michael's Hospital]], [[Toronto General Hospital]], [[Toronto Western Hospital]], [[Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre]], and [[Princess Margaret Hospital]], as well as the [[University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine]].
+
The Toronto Public Library is the largest [[public library]] system in Canada, consisting of 99 branches with more than 11 million items in its collection.
  
Toronto's ''Discovery District''<ref name=district>[http://www.torontodiscoverydistrict.ca/Page.asp?IdPage=5760&WebAddress=DiscoveryDistrict/ Toronto Discovery District FAQ], Toronto Discovery District (2006). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 5|12-05]].</ref> is centre of research in [[biomedicine]]. It is located on a 2.5 square kilometre research park that is fully integrated into Toronto’s downtown core. It is also home to the ''[[MaRS Discovery District|Medical and Related Sciences Centre (MaRS)]]'',<ref name=mars>[http://www.marsdd.com/ Medical and Related Sciences Centre], Medical and Related Sciences Centre (2006). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 5|12-05]].</ref> which was created in 2000 to capitalize on the research and innovation strength of the Province of Ontario. Another institute is the ''McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine (MCMM)''.<ref name=mole>[http://www.mcmm.ca/site3.aspx McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine (MCMM)], McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine (2006). Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[December 5|12-05]].</ref>
+
==Notes==
 +
<references/>
  
{{seealso|XVI International AIDS Conference, 2006}}
+
== References ==
 +
* Benn, Carl. ''The History of Toronto, an 11,000 Year Journey.''
 +
* Careless, J.M.S. [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0008050 Toronto] ''The Canadian Encyclopedia'' Historica Foundation of Canada. accessdate 2005-12-03
 +
* Fulford. Robert. 1995. ''Accidental city: the transformation of Toronto.'' Toronto:  Macfarlane, Walter & Ross. ISBN 0921912919.
 +
* Phillips, Robert, Leon Bram & Norma Dickey. 1971. ''Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia,'' Volume 23. New York: Funk & Wagnalls Inc., ISBN 0834300257
 +
* Rayburn, Alan. 2001. ''Naming Canada: stories about Canadian place names,'' 2nd ed. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0802082939.
  
===Transportation===
+
==External links==
{{main|Transportation in Toronto}}[[Image:Union Station, Toronto.jpg|thumb|right|The main entrance of the [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] style [[Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]] built in 1927.]]
+
All links retrieved May 1, 2023.
====Public transit network====
+
* [http://www.toronto.ca The official City of Toronto Web site].
{{main|Toronto Transit Commission|GO Transit}}
 
The [[Toronto Transit Commission]] (TTC) is the third largest public transit system in North America after the [[New York City Transit Authority]], and [[Mexico City Metro]].<ref name=TTCstats>[http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1122072619227_40/?hub=CTVNewsAt11 Toronto transit chief says searches unlikely] (2005). Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[February 3|02-03]].</ref> The Government of Ontario operates an extensive rail and bus transit system called [[GO Transit]] that links the neighbouring cities and suburbs with the City of Toronto. Thirty-eight trains on seven train lines run 179 trips, and carry over 160,000 passengers a day. An additional 288 buses feed the main rail lines. The TTC provides public transit within the City of Toronto. Its backbone is the city's [[Toronto subway and RT|subway system]], which includes the "U"-shaped north-south [[Yonge-University-Spadina (TTC)|Yonge-University-Spadina line]], the east-west [[Bloor-Danforth (TTC)|Bloor-Danforth]] line, the east-west [[Sheppard (TTC)|Sheppard line]] through the northern part of the city, and the [[Scarborough RT (TTC)|Scarborough RT]] line running through the eastern part of the city ([[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]]). The TTC also operates an extensive network of [[Toronto buses and trolley buses|buses]] and [[Toronto streetcar system|streetcars]].
 
 
 
====Airports====
 
:''See also: [[List of airports in the Greater Toronto Area]]''
 
Canada's busiest airport, [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]] ([[IATA airport code|IATA]]: YYZ), straddles the city's western boundary with the suburban city of [[Mississauga, Ontario|Mississauga]]. Limited commercial and passenger service is also offered from the [[Toronto City Centre Airport]] (usually called the "Island Airport"), located on the [[Toronto Islands]]. [[Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport]] in [[Markham, Ontario|Markham]] provides [[general aviation]] facilities. [[Toronto/Downsview Airport]], near the city's north end, is owned by [[de Havilland Canada]] and serves the [[Bombardier Aerospace]] aircraft factory.
 
 
 
[[Image:401atDVP.jpg|thumb|right|[[Highway 401 (Ontario)|Highway 401]] in [[North York]], collector lanes approaching [[Leslie Street]].]]
 
 
 
====Road network====
 
:''See also: [[List of Toronto, Ontario roads|Streets in Toronto]] and [[Municipal expressways in Toronto]]''
 
 
 
There are a number of [[freeways]] that serve Toronto and the [[Greater Toronto Area]]. [[Highway 401 (Ontario)|Highway 401]] bisects the city from west to east, bypassing the [[Downtown Toronto|downtown]] core. It is one of the busiest highway in the world.<ref>{{cite web
 
| url = http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2002/08/06/c0057.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html
 
| title = Ontario government investing $401 million to upgrade Highway 401
 
| publisher = [[Ministry of Transportation (Ontario)|]]
 
| date = [[2002-08-06]]
 
| accessdate = 2007-03-18
 
| quote = Highway 401 is one of the busiest highways in the world and represents a vital link in Ontario's transportation infrastructure, carrying more than 400,000 vehicles per day through Toronto.
 
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 
| url = http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=3459
 
| title = GTA Economy Dinged by Every Crash on the 401 - North America's Busiest Freeway
 
| author = Brian Gray
 
| publisher = ''[[Toronto Sun]]'', transcribed at Urban Planet
 
| date = [[2004-04-10]]
 
| accessdate = 2007-03-18
 
| quote = The "phenomenal" number of vehicles on Hwy. 401 as it cuts through Toronto makes it the busiest freeway in the world...
 
}}</ref> The Highway 401&ndash;[[Highway 400 (Ontario)|Highway 400]]/[[Black Creek Drive]] interchange is one of the widest stretches of highway in North America, spanning 22 lanes and used by more than half a million vehicles on an average day.
 
  
Toronto has a system of [[Municipal expressways in Toronto|municipal expressways]], which has been stagnant in the past few decades, with a number of developments being cancelled due to residential protest and support for public transit.
 
  
The square grid of major city streets was laid out by the [[concession road]] system.
 
  
==References==
+
{{credits|137800918}}
===Footnotes===
 
<!--This article uses the Cite.php citation mechanism. If you would like more information on how to add references to this article, please see http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cite/Cite.php —>
 
{{reflist|2}}
 
 
 
===Other references===
 
<div class="references-small">
 
*{{cite book
 
| last = Fulford
 
| first = Robert
 
| authorlink =
 
| coauthors =
 
| year = 1995
 
| title = Accidental city: the transformation of Toronto
 
| publisher = Macfarlane, Walter & Ross
 
| location = Toronto
 
| id = ISBN 0-921912-91-9; ISBN 1-55199-010-5 (paperback)
 
}}
 
*{{cite book
 
| last = Rayburn
 
| first = Alan
 
| authorlink =
 
| coauthors =
 
| year = 2001
 
| title = Naming Canada: stories about Canadian place names
 
| publisher = University of Toronto Press
 
| location = Toronto
 
| id = 2nd ed. (ISBN 0-8020-8293-9)
 
}}
 
*{{cite book
 
| last = Phillips
 
| first = Robert
 
| authorlink =
 
| coauthors = Bram, Leon & Dickey, Norma
 
| year = 1971
 
| title = Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia
 
| publisher = Funk & Wagnalls Inc.
 
| location = New York
 
| id = Volume 23, ISBN 0-8343-0025-7
 
}}
 
*{{cite web
 
| last = Careless
 
| first = J.M.S.
 
| authorlink =
 
| coauthors =
 
| year =
 
| url = http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0008050
 
| title = Toronto
 
| format =
 
| work = [[The Canadian Encyclopedia]]
 
| publisher = Historica Foundation of Canada
 
| accessdate = 2005-12-03
 
}}
 
*{{cite web
 
| last =
 
| first =
 
| authorlink =
 
| coauthors =
 
| year = 2003
 
| url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3520005&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=toronto&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=
 
| title = Toronto
 
| format =
 
| work = Statistics Canada. 2002. 2001 Community Profiles.
 
| publisher = [[Statistics Canada]] Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE.
 
| accessdate = 2005-12-03
 
}}
 
*{{cite web|url=http://www.toronto.ca/economic_profile/index.htm|title=Toronto's Economic Profile|publisher=City of Toronto|accessdate=2006-05-30}}
 
</div>
 
 
 
{{sisterlinks|Toronto}}
 
 
 
==External links==
 
* [http://www.toronto.ca toronto.ca], The official City of Toronto Web site. Retrieved June 25, 2007.
 
* [http://www.torontotourism.com/ Tourism Toronto], by the Toronto Convention & Visitors Association. Retrieved June 25, 2007.
 
* [http://wikitravel.org/en/article/Toronto Wikitravel Toronto], travel guide at [[Wikitravel]] Retrieved June 25, 2007.
 
  
 
[[Category:Cities]]
 
[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Nations and places]]
+
[[Category:Geography]]
 
[[Category:North America]]
 
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:History and biography]]
+
[[Category:Biography]]
 
 
{{credit|137800918}}
 

Latest revision as of 23:37, 15 January 2024

Toronto
—  City  —
City of Toronto
Toronto skyline
Toronto skyline
Flag of Toronto
Flag
Coat of arms of Toronto
Coat of arms
Nickname: T.O., T-Dot, Hogtown, The Queen City, Toronto the Good, The City Within a Park
Motto: Diversity Our Strength
Location of Toronto and its census metropolitan area in the province of Ontario
Location of Toronto and its census metropolitan area in the province of Ontario
Country Canada
Province Ontario
Districts East York, Etobicoke, North York, Old Toronto, Scarborough, York
Established August 27, 1793 (as York)
Incorporated March 6, 1834 (as Toronto)
Amalgamated January 1, 1998 (from Metropolitan Toronto)
Government
 - Mayor Rob Ford
 - Council Toronto City Council
Area [1]
 - City 630 km² (243.2 sq mi)
 - Urban 1,749 km² (675.3 sq mi)
 - Metro 7,125 km² (2,751 sq mi)
Elevation 76 m (249 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
 - City 2,615,060 (1st)
 - Density 4,149/km² (10,745.9/sq mi)
 - Urban 5,132,794 (1st)
 - Metro 5,583,064 (1st)
 - Demonym Torontonian
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Postal code span M
Area code(s) 416, 647
NTS Map 030M11
GNBC Code FEUZB
Website: www.toronto.ca


Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the fifth largest metropolitian area in North America. Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is the economic center of the Canadian Province of Ontario and the seat of its provincial government. As Canada's economic capital, Toronto's leading economic sectors include finance, business services, telecommunications, aerospace, transportation, media, arts, film, television production, publishing, software production, medical research, education, tourism and sports industries. The Toronto Stock Exchange is headquartered in the city, along with a majority of Canada's corporations.

Toronto is heralded as one of the most multicultural cities in the world and is ranked as the safest large urban area in North America by Places Rated Almanac. Over 100 languages and dialects are spoken here, and over one third of Toronto residents speak a language other than English at home. Toronto's population is cosmopolitan and international, which reflects its role as an important destination for immigrants to Canada. As a result of its low crime rates, clean environment and generally high standard of living, Toronto is consistently rated one of the world's most livable cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit[2] and the Mercer Quality of Living Survey.[3]

Residents of Toronto are called Torontonians.

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".[4] 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 led to widespread use of the name.

Map of Toronto, 1894

French traders founded Fort Rouillé on the current Exhibition grounds in 1750, but abandoned it in 1759.[5] During the American Revolutionary War, the region saw an influx of British 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, thereby securing more than a quarter million acres (1000 km²) of land in the Toronto area.[6]

In 1793, Governor John Graves Simcoe established the town of York on the existing settlement, naming it after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. Simcoe chose the town to replace Newark as the capital of Upper Canada, believing the new site would be less vulnerable to attack by the Americans[7] 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 harbor behind the peninsula, near the present-day Parliament Street and Front Street.

In 1813, as part of the War of 1812, the Battle of York ended in the town's capture and plunder by American forces. 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.

Toronto Harbour, 1919

With a population of only 9,000 inhabitants, York was incorporated as the City of Toronto on March 6, 1834, reverting to its original native name. These included escaped African-American slaves fleeing Black Codes in some states, 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 nineteenth century, as a major destination for immigrants to Canada. The first significant population influx occurred with the Irish potato famine between 1846 and 1849 that brought a large number of Irish diaspora into the city, some of them transient and most of them Catholic. 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 for brief periods twice 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 just a year prior to Confederation. Since Confederation, the capital of Canada has been Ottawa. Toronto remained the capital of the province of Ontario after the province's official creation in 1867. Because of its capital status, the city has also always been the location of Government House, the residence of the vice-regal representative of the Crown.

The city began to rapidly industrialize in the middle of the nineteenth 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 joined in the building of the first Union Station 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 later re-named the current Toronto Transit Commission, now with the third highest ridership of any city public transportation system in North America.

The Great Toronto Fire of 1904 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.

Subway construction on Yonge Street, 1949

The city received new immigrant groups beginning in the late 19th century into early 20th century, particularly Germans, Italians, and Jews from various parts of Eastern Europe. They were soon followed by Chinese, Russians, Poles and immigrants from other Eastern European nations, as the Irish 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 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 Second World War, refugees from war-torn Europe 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.[8]

In 1954, the City of Toronto was federated into a regional government known as Metropolitan Toronto.[9] 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-city configuration that included the old City of Toronto and the surrounding municipalities of East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough and York. In 1998, the metropolitan government was dissolved and the six municipalities were amalgamated into a single municipality, creating the current City of Toronto.

Geography and climate

A simulated-color image of Toronto taken by NASA's Landsat 7 satellite.

Toronto covers an area of 629.91 square kilometres (243.21 sq mi),[10] 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 waterfront shoreline. Its borders are bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, Etobicoke Creek and Highway 427 to the west, Steeles Avenue to the north and the Rouge River to the east.

Topography

The city is intersected by two rivers and numerous tributaries: the Humber River in the west end and the Don River 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 and the Leslie Street Spit. The many creeks and rivers cutting from north toward the lake create large tracts of densely-forested ravines, 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 terminating on one side of ravines and continuing on the other side. Other thoroughfares 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-nineteenth century the lakefront was set back up to a kilometre (0.6 mi) further inland than it is today. Much of the Toronto harbor (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.

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 U.S. 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 other factors Toronto has a fairly low diurnal temperature range, at least in built-up city and lakeshore areas. At different times of the year, the proximity to Lake Ontario and the other Great Lakes has various localized and regional impacts on the climate, including lake effect snow.

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, typical conditions of both seasons usually arrive later than in other continental climates at similar latitudes owing to the presence of Lake Ontario and to a lesser degree, the other Great Lakes.[11]

Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, but summer is usually the wettest season, the bulk falling during thunderstorms. The average yearly precipitation is 834 mm(32.83 in), with an average annual snowfall of about 133 centimetres (52 in). Toronto experiences an average of 2,038 sunshine hours or 44 percent of possible, most of it during the warmer weather season.[11]

Cityscape

Toronto has become an architectural hotspot featuring uniquely designed buildings from many of the most celebrated architects in the world. The list includes such names as Frank Gehry, Daniel Libeskind, Norman Foster, Will Alsop, I. M. Pei, Santiago Calatrava, and Mies van der Rohe as well as award-winning local firms, such as Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners, Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg (KPMB) and Diamond Schmitt Architects.

Architecture

A close-up view of the CN Tower from Rogers Centre.

Defining the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower is Canada's most recognizable and celebrated icon. At a height of 553.33 m (1,815 ft., 5 inches) it is the world's tallest freestanding structure, an important telecommunications hub, and a centre of tourism in Toronto. Toronto's most prominent landmark is the CN Tower, which currently stands as the tallest free-standing land structure in the world at 553 metres (1,815 ft).[12]

BCE Place is an office complex in downtown Toronto, which consists of two towers, the Bay Wellington Tower and the TD Canada Trust Tower, linked by the six-storey Allen Lambert Galleria. BCE Place is also the home of the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Allen Lambert Galleria, sometimes described as the "crystal cathedral of commerce," was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. It is one of the most photographed spaces in Toronto's financial district, and is heavily featured as a backdrop for TV and film productions.

View of skyscrapers in the Financial District from the CN Tower.

Toronto is a city of high-rises, having 1,892 buildings over 90m (300') in height, second only to New York City (which has over 5,000 such buildings) in North America. Most of these buildings are residential (either rental or condominium). 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 carbon dioxide (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 neighborhoods.

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

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

The Old City of Toronto covers the area generally known as Downtown. It is the historical core of Toronto and remains the msot densely-populated part of the city. The Financial District of Bay Street contains the largest cluster of skyscrapers in Canada. Other neighborhoods in the central city retain an ethnic identity, including two Chinatowns, the popular Greektown area, the very trendy Little Italy, Portugal Village, Little Jamaica, Little Mogadishu and Little India along with others.

One of Toronto's most unique neighborhoods, the Distillery District contains the largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian 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 with Scarborough and Etobicoke, although not to the extent that they once did.

Culture and Tourism

Toronto is a major scene for theatre and other performing arts, with more than 50 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,[13] 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.

The Hockey Hall of Fame, 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.

Toronto's Caribana festival takes place from mid-July to early August of every summer, and is one of North America's largest street festivals.[14] For the most part, Caribana is based on the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, and the first Caribana took place in 1967 when the city's Caribbean community celebrated Canada's Centennial year. Forty years later, it has grown to attract one million people to Toronto's Lake Shore Boulevard annually. Tourism for the festival is in the hundred thousands, and each year, the event brings in about $300 million.

Dundas Square and the Eaton Centre at night.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is a major museum for world culture and natural history. The Toronto Zoo. The Art Gallery of Ontario contains a large collection of Canadian, European, African and contemporary artwork. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art which is the only museum in Canada entirely devoted to ceramics and the Museum's collection contains more than 2,900 ceramic works from Asia, the Americas, and Europe. The Ontario Science Centre always has new hands-on activities and science displays particularly appealing to children, and the Bata Shoe Museum also features many unique exhibitions. The Don Valley Brick Works is a former industrial site, which opened in 1889, and has recently been restored as a park and heritage site. The Canadian National Exhibition is held annually at Exhibition Place. It is Canada's largest annual fair and the fifth largest in the world, with an average attendance of 1.3 million.[15]

The Yorkville neighborhood is one of Toronto's most elegant shopping and dining areas. On many occasions, celebrities from all over North America can be spotted in the area, especially during the Toronto International Film Festival. The Toronto Eaton Centre is one of North America's top shopping destinations, and Toronto's most popular tourist attraction with over one million visitors per week.

Greektown brightens Christmas and winter at Alexander the Great park.
Aromas from around the world tempt crowds at Taste of the Danforth in Greektown.

Greektown on the Danforth, is another one of the major attractions of Toronto which boasts one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per kilometre in the world. It is also home to the annual "Taste of the Danforth" festival which attracts over one million people in two and a half days. Toronto is also home to Canada's most famous castle - Casa Loma, the former estate of Sir Henry Pellatt, a prominent Toronto financier, industrialist and military man. Other notable neighborhoods and attractions include The Beaches, the Toronto Islands, Kensington Market, Fort York, and the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Economy

Bay Street, looking south from its intersection with Queen Street West.

Toronto is a major international centre for business and finance. Generally considered the financial capital of Canada, Toronto has a high concentration of banks and brokerage firms on Bay Street, the city's main financial street. The Toronto Stock Exchange is the world's sixth-largest stock exchange by market capitalization.[16] All of the Big Five banks of Canada are headquartered in Toronto.

The city is an important centre for the media, publishing, telecommunications, information technology and film production industries. Although much of the region's manufacturing activities take place outside the city limits, Toronto continues to be an important wholesale and distribution point for the industrial sector. The city's strategic position along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor and its extensive road and rail connections help support the nearby production of motor vehicles, iron, steel, food, machinery, chemicals and paper. The completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959 gave ships access to the Great Lakes from the Atlantic Ocean.

Infrastructure

Health and medicine

Atrium of the Hospital for Sick Children. Designed by Eberhard Zeidler.

Toronto is home to at least 20 hospitals, and is a center of research in biomedicine. Toronto is also home to the Medical and Related Sciences Centre (MaRS),[17] which was created in 2000 to capitalize on the research and innovation strength of the Province of Ontario. Another institute is the McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine (MCMM).[18]

Transportation

The main entrance of the Beaux-Arts style Union Station built in 1927.

Public transit network

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the third largest public transit system in North America after the New York City Transit Authority, and Mexico City Metro.[19] The Government of Ontario operates an extensive rail and bus transit system called GO Transit that links the neighboring cities and suburbs with the City of Toronto. Thirty-eight trains on seven train lines run 179 trips, and carry over 160,000 passengers a day. An additional 288 buses feed the main rail lines. The TTC provides public transit within the City of Toronto. Its backbone is the city's subway system, which includes the "U"-shaped north-south Yonge-University-Spadina line, the east-west Bloor-Danforth line, the east-west Sheppard line through the northern part of the city, and the Scarborough RT line running through the eastern part of the city (Scarborough). The TTC also operates an extensive network of buses and streetcars.

Airports

Canada's busiest airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport (IATA: YYZ), straddles the city's western boundary with the suburban city of Mississauga. Limited commercial and passenger service is also offered from the Toronto City Centre Airport (usually called the "Island Airport"), located on the Toronto Islands. Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport in Markham provides general aviation facilities. Downsview Airport, near the city's north end, is owned by de Havilland Canada and serves the Bombardier Aerospace aircraft factory.

Demographics

Toronto population by year, within present boundaries
Year City CMA GTA
1861 65,085 193,844[20]
1901 238,080 440,000[20]
1951 1,117,470 1,262,000[20]
1971 2,089,728 2,628,045[21]
1976 2,124,295 2,803,101[22]
1981 2,137,380 2,998,947[23]
1986 2,192,721 3,733,085[24]
1991 2,275,771[25] 3,893,933[26] 4,235,756[27]
1996 2,385,421[28] 4,235,759[28] 4,628,883[29]
2001 2,481,494[1] 4,682,897[1] 5,081,826[30]
2006 2,503,281[1] 5,113,149[1] 5,555,912[31]

According to the United Nations Development Programme, Toronto has the second-highest percentage of foreign-born population among world cities, after Miami, Florida. While Miami's foreign-born population consists mostly of Cubans and other Latin Americans, no single nationality or culture dominates Toronto's immigrant population. This diversity is reflected in Toronto's ethnic neighborhoods which include Little Italy, The Junction, Little Jamaica, Little India, Chinatown, Koreatown, Greektown, Greektown, Portugal Village, Portugal Village, Corso Italia, Kensington Market, and The Westway. Christianity is the largest religious group in Toronto.

While English is the predominant language spoken by Torontonians, many other languages have considerable numbers of local speakers, including French, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Tamil, Punjabi, Tagalog, Hindi, and Urdu.[32] Italian is the second most widely spoken language at work.[33][34] As a result, the city's 9-1-1 emergency services are equipped to respond in over 150 languages.[35]

Government

Toronto City Hall viewed from Nathan Phillips Square.

Toronto is a single-tier municipality governed by a mayor-council system. The structure of the municipal government is stipulated by the City of Toronto Act. The Mayor of Toronto is elected by direct popular vote to serve as the chief executive of the city. The Toronto City Council is a unicameral legislative body, comprising 44 councillors representing geographical wards throughout the city. The mayor and members of the city council serve four-year terms without term limits. (Prior to the 2006 municipal election, the mayor and city councillors served three-year terms.)

At the start of the 2007 term, the city council had seven standing committees, each consisting of a chair, a vice-chair and four other councillors. The Mayor named the committee chairs and the remaining membership of the committees is appointed by City Council.[36]

Toronto had an operating budget of C$7.6 billion in 2006.[37] The city receives funding from the Government of Ontario in addition to tax revenues and user fees, spending 36 percent on provincially-mandated programs, 53 percent on major municipal purposes such as the Toronto Public Library and the Toronto Zoo, and 11 percent on capital financing and non-program expenditures.[38]

Education

The main building of Victoria College in the University of Toronto.

Toronto is home to a diverse range of public and private educational institutions. The Toronto District School Board operates 451 public schools and 102 Secondary or high schools. This makes the TDSB the largest school board in Canada. Additionally, the Toronto Catholic District School Board manages the city's publicly-funded Roman Catholic schools, while the Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest and the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud manages public and Roman Catholic French-language schools. There are also numerous private university-preparatory schools.

The University of Toronto, established in 1827, is the oldest university in the province of Ontario and a leading public research institution. It is a worldwide leader in biomedical research and houses North America's third largest library system, notably after Harvard University and Yale University. The city is also home to Ryerson University, York University and the Ontario College of Art & Design.

There are five diploma-granting community colleges in Toronto. The Royal Conservatory of Music, which includes The Glenn Gould School, is a major music school located in downtown. The Canadian Film Centre is a film, television and new media training institute founded by filmmaker Norman Jewison.

The Toronto Public Library is the largest public library system in Canada, consisting of 99 branches with more than 11 million items in its collection.

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Statistics Canada, Census Profile. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  2. Vancouver is 'best city to live' CNN. 2005-10-05, accessdate 2007-03-05
  3. [1] Mercer Human Resource Consulting, 2006. accessdate 2007-03-05
  4. The real story of how Toronto got its name Natural Resources Canada (2005) accessdate 2006-12-08 from Alan Rayburn, Canadian Geographic (September/October 1994). (Ottawa): 68-70.
  5. Fort Rouillé, Jarvis Collegiate Institute (2006).
  6. Carl Benn, The History of Toronto, an 11,000 Year Journey. Natives and newcomers, 1600-1793, City of Toronto (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-08.
  7. Welcome to the birthplace of Toronto Friends of Fort York (2006) accessdate 2006-12-08
  8. Westward ho? The shifting geography of corporate power in Canada, Journal of Canadian Studies (2002). Retrieved on 2007-01-14.
  9. Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Act, Government of Ontario (2000). Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
  10. Population statistics and land area, Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on 2006-12-05.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Canadian climate normals for 1971 to 2000, Environment Canada (2004). Retrieved on 2006-12-05.
  12. Edward Chamberlain, CN Tower Marks 30 Years At The Top Emporis Buildings. 2006-12-08
  13. The World's First Permanent IMAX Theatre Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
  14. Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana) Festival 2006, WORD Magazine (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
  15. CNE - About Us, Canadian National Exhibition (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
  16. Market Statistics Toronto Stock Exchange (2006). Retrieved on 2007-05-11.
  17. Medical and Related Sciences Centre, Medical and Related Sciences Centre (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-05.
  18. McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine (MCMM), McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine (2006).
  19. Toronto transit chief says searches unlikely (2005). Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 Toronto history FAQs: What was the population of Toronto in various years? [2] City of Toronto Archives, accessdate 2007-03-18
  21. [3]
  22. [4]
  23. [5]
  24. [6] City of Toronto (1997). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
  25. [7] City of Toronto (2003). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
  26. Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Metropolitan Areas in Decreasing Order of 1996 Population, 1991 and 1996 Censuses, [8] Statistics Canada, 2001-04-17, accessdate 2007-03-18
  27. [9] City of Toronto (2003). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
  28. 28.0 28.1 Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Census Metropolitan Areas, Census Agglomerations and Census Subdivisions (Municipalities), 2001 and 1996 Censuses. [10] Statistics Canada, accessdate 2007-03-18
  29. [11] City of Toronto (2003). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
  30. [12] City of Toronto (2003). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
  31. [13] Statistics Canada (2006). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
  32. Various Languages Spoken - Toronto CMA, Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on 2007-01-02.
  33. Language used at work by mother tongue in Toronto CMA, Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on 2006-12-05.
  34. Language used at work by mother tongue (City of Toronto), Statistics Canada (2001). Retrieved on 2006-12-05.
  35. City of Toronto Emergency Services - 9-1-1 = EMERGENCY in any language accessdate 2007-01-05}
  36. City Council names Speaker and members to Standing Committees, Agencies, Boards and Commissions. [14] CNW Group 2006-12-06, accessdate 2007-03-18
  37. 2006 City Budget City of Toronto2006. accessdate 2007-03-18
  38. 2006 Operating Budget City of Toronto 2006, accessdate 2007-03-18

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Benn, Carl. The History of Toronto, an 11,000 Year Journey.
  • Careless, J.M.S. Toronto The Canadian Encyclopedia Historica Foundation of Canada. accessdate 2005-12-03
  • Fulford. Robert. 1995. Accidental city: the transformation of Toronto. Toronto: Macfarlane, Walter & Ross. ISBN 0921912919.
  • Phillips, Robert, Leon Bram & Norma Dickey. 1971. Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, Volume 23. New York: Funk & Wagnalls Inc., ISBN 0834300257
  • Rayburn, Alan. 2001. Naming Canada: stories about Canadian place names, 2nd ed. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0802082939.

External links

All links retrieved May 1, 2023.


Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.