Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada with 2.5 million residents. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario.
A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy. The city was damaged in two great fires: in 1849 and in 1904. Toronto's population is cosmopolitan and international, reflecting its role as an important destination for immigrants to Canada.
Toronto's climate is moderate for Canada owing to its southerly location within the country. It has a humid continental climate, with warm, humid summers and cold winters. The city experiences four distinct seasons. Tales of igloos and sub-zero temperatures might be used to describe other cities in Canada, but not Toronto. Toronto is on the same latitude as Cannes on the sunny Riviera and just slightly — one degree — north of Boston. In fact, Lake Ontario serves to moderate Toronto's weather to the point that its climate is one of the mildest in Canada. Generally speaking, spring and summer temperatures range from 15 C to 25C. During winter months, the average daytime temperature, hovers just slightly below freezing and a snowfall of more than 10 cm is unusual. Extreme minimum -32C and extreme maximum 40C can occur.
Dundas Square - Downtown
Toronto is truly an ethnic diverse place. Hence all the different suburbs: Little Italy, Greektown, Chinatown, India Bazzar etc....Everywhere you go, there are different languages spoken, traditional clothes worn, and ethnic foods offered. There is a big orthodox jewish community, dressing in traditional clothes - and you get kosher foods in almost all supermarkets. There are mosques, churches, temples catering for all the different religions. It is truly a cosmopolitan place - which makes it quite interesting. However, the Native Peoples (now called First Nations) are almost invisible and they mostly live in reservations. Sadly their story is similar to the Australian Aboriginals'....
International Gospel Festival
Jewish Cemetry
A few Canadian oddities:
Washroom = bathroom or toilet
Streetcar = tram
Subway = train or underground
Air conditioning: They have central airconditioning systems in the floor not in the wall or ceiling.
Directions: When given directions, it is not go left or right or straight, it is go north, south, east or west. I am slowly wrapping my head around this system... as otherwise I would get lost with street and train directions (It's the same in the States....).
The weather: Temperatures are givenwith the addedwind chill factor or humidity factor - as that makes a big difference in how one actually feels the heat or chill!!
Driving: apart from the strange 'All stop' system; cars are allowed to turn right on Red. Left turns on traffic lights are - be quick or get hit, as there is usually no separate green arrow light. However, people generally drive quite decent!
There are squirrels everywhere.... so cute. However, the locals think of them as rodants and a nuisance. You also get the crickets - making a lot of noise, just like in Australia....
These geese I think are mistaking the carpark for a lovely lake....
And you have the recycle bins everywhere - even the subway.....
This sign was in a shopping mall food court area....
Dog parks: There are fenced in areas in parks for the doggies to play....
Police: You see lots of police on bikes!
News: You do get a bit more international news than you get in the States, but still nothing compared to the access you have to international news in Europe, Middle East and Australia. It is frustrating....not to know what is happening in the world around you.
However, Toronto is a very nice and interesting place.....It's great that I have so much time here to really experience and explore it....
S&D
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