• Toronto is cosmopolitan, multicultural, and vibrant.
• One of the top 25 places to live in the world
• Known as "Hollywood North" for the number of movie production companies that the city atracts every year.
• Toronto is heralded as one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
• Toronto has been ranked as the safest large metropolitan area in North America.
• Located at the shores of Lake Ontario, a beginning point for the Great Lakes system, and boaters' paradise.
• One of North America's largest recreational waterfronts and scenic background for the SkyDome, CN Tower and Ontario Place.
• North America's largest public transit system after New York North America's largest continuous underground pedestrian system, connecting 1100 stores and restaurants, 48 office towers, six major hotels and several entertainment centers.
• Financial centre of Canada, 4th largest in North America, employing 176,000 in the financial sector.
• The CN Tower, the world's tallest free-standing structure at 1,815 feet high (553 metres), dominates the skyline. Close to Niagara Falls and the US border ( Buffalo).

Toronto's Weather
Due to Ontario's size, temperatures will vary tremendously from region to region and even within the regions themselves.
Generally, the weather is considered continental, with four distinct seasons.
January being the coldest month (~ -4C) of the year and July being the warmest (~23C).
During the winter months, most of Ontario is blanketed with snow, especially in the north.
The temperature is normally below zero during winter.
Summers tend to be hot, sunny and sometimes humid with temperatures averaging 23C.
You can also check out this website; http://www.ontariotravel.net (see weather section) or http://www.theweathernetwork.com

Phone Code
Almost all of the phone numbers in the Toronto area are local 10 digit calls.
If you're calling from outside North America, you can dial directly to Ontario phones:
(00)+ 1, and the number you wish to reach.
e.g. 001-416-929 - 5553 (That number gets you to our College).
If you're calling from within Canada or the United States:
dial 1 + area code + phone number.
It looks like this
e.g. 1-416-929-5553

Toronto's Population
2.48 million people 3,939 people per square km.
1996 to 2001 population change was +4 per cent Toronto covers 632 sq.km. and is located on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario

Languages
Federal government departments provide service in English and French, but most of the population speaks English as either a first or second language.
The City of Toronto is cosmopolitan and is a mix of many multicultural groups.
Because the city is multicultural, it's also multilingual on an unofficial level.
Its people speak many different languages and many follow the traditions of their native lands, sometimes moderating them with Canadian culture.
Over 100 languages and dialects are spoken in Toronto, and one third of Toronto residents speak a language other than English.

Currency
The Canadian dollar is worth about two-thirds of the US dollar.
The Canadian dollar itself is a relatively large gold-coloured coin and the locals have nicknamed it the 'Loonie', officially because it features a Canadian bird, the loon, on its face.
The current Canada/US exchange rate (and the exchange rate between Canada and other countries) is on the web: http://www.x-rates.com

Taxation
There are three levels of taxation that affect visitors to Toronto
There is a 5% tax charged on accommodation.
For just about all other goods and services, there is a 8% provincial sales tax (PST). PST, for instance, is not applied to, among other things, food and children's clothing.
There is also a 5% federal goods and services tax (GST).
Visitors to Toronto from outside the country can apply to have the GST reimbursed to them when they leave the country. Keep all receipts of your purchase as proof of the amount paid.