Montreal is the second largest metropolitan centre in Canada and the largest French-speaking city outside France. Approximately one million seven hundred thousand people live on the island and over three million three hundred thousand in the greater metropolitan area. The city of Montr?al has an area of 177 square kilometres; the island of Montreal, 494 square kilometres and the greater metropolitan region, 3,509 square kilometres.

Montréal is four times better because it has four distinct seasons. The climate here varies tremendously. Weather reports are given over the telephone in Montréal at (514) 283-4006 and for other regions at 1 900 565-4000. On Internet, visit Météo Média.

Montréal is located in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST). We adopt Eastern Daylight Savings Time on the first Sunday in April and revert to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October.

Emergency: 9-1-1
Directory assistance: 4-1-1
Operator: 0 Area code: 514

Airports:

Montreal has two major airports :
Montreal International Airport at Dorval
Arrival and departure for domestic and U.S. flights as well as most international carriers; located about 14 miles or 22-km west of downtown Montreal. Approximately 25 minutes away from the city. The cost to travel by taxi is of approximately $ 28.00 canadian dollars + gratuity.

Montreal International Airport at Mirabel
International and transborder charter flights will be operated from Mirabel airport; located about 40 miles or 55-km north of the city. Approximately 45 minutes away from downtown Montreal. The cost of a taxi ride is of approximately $60.00 canadian + gratuity.

Bus Shuttle Aeroports de Montreal (Express)
It leaves Dorval every 30 minutes from 7:00 am to 11:00 p.m. weekdays and week-ends. First departure at 7:00 am and last departure corresponds with the last flight coming in Dorval. Transportation is free for children under 5 years old. L'A?robus (514) 931-9002

Bus Montreal
Bus Central Station (514) 842-2281

Train
Train VIA Rail Canada (514) 989-2626
1 800 361-5390 (Que.)
Amtrak (New York) 1 800 872-7245

The Canadian monetary system is based on dollars and cents. Because of current monetary exchange rates (The Universal Currency Converter™), there is a difference in value between the Canadian and American dollar. We advise you to have Canadian money while travelling in Canada to avoid any exchange problems. Legal tender is the Canadian dollar, which divides into 100 cents. Bills come in following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 1,000 dollars. The coins in use are of the following denominations: 1, 5, 10, 25 cents, one dollar and 2 dollars.