Destination: Montreal

In keeping with its proud tradition that includes the 1967 World Expo and the 1976 Olympic Games, the city of Montreal, Canada, is honoured to be hosting the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2012): an event that is now referred to as the "Olympics of Information and Communication Technologies".

Located on the majestic St. Lawrence River and surrounded by more than 400 islands, Montreal is overflowing with energy! With a population of 1,906,811, it is the largest agglomeration in the province of Québec. However, Montreal is still a safe city, and the public transit system is an excellent way to discover it.

The dynamic spirit of Montreal

Ranked as one of the leading Francophones cities in the world, Montreal is renowned for the quality and diversity of its restaurants and for its cultural and artistic excellence. The official language of Québec is French, but English is spoken extensively throughout the city, and particularly in tourist areas, hotels and restaurants.

Montreal is a vibrant, multicultural city that effortlessly combines European chic with a typically North American character. The trendy boutiques mingle well with the bistros and brasseries, while the city’s architecture provides the perfect blend of the old and the new. The dynamic spirit of Montrealers is tangible in the cafés and boutiques, at the many festivals, via the music and art scene, and in the museums and other venues.

Montreal offers a bustling nightlife and cuisine from the four corners of the globe, boasting more than 4,000 restaurants that serve up traditional foods from 80 different countries.

The artistic excellence of the city rivals the richest anywhere in the world: the Montreal Symphony Orchestra is internationally acclaimed, cinema and theatre abounds, there is a dizzying diversity of performance halls, and you will find priceless treasures at more than a dozen museums, not to mention the numerous art galleries.

Finally, during WCIT 2012, visitors will discover Montreal and its many colours, scents and flavours that are unique to the fall season in the city.

Click here for more information about Old Montreal and its many tourist attractions.

The video “What’s the Big Idea” also provides a an overview of Montreal