"Vlad Litvinov's Toronto page" a Toronto Travel Page by vladlitvinov

Although not a nation's capital, Toronto is the biggest Canadian city, very often associated with the whole country (you judge yourself, how fair it is). It is also entertainment, financial and business capital of Canada. Toronto's population (2.48 million in Toronto and 4.5 million in the Greater Toronto Area) is one of the most ethnically diverse in the world, with more than 100 different ethnic groups. 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 heralded as one of the most multicultural cities in the worls. Interestingly, ''Toronto'' is a Huron Indian people's word meaning ''Meeting Place''. Multiculturalism is, perhaps, the most common impression people get in Toronto. Be prepared seeing lot of diversity here, be it local people or city's neighbourhoods.

There are tons of recommendations about Toronto, including VT. And yet, every opinion is different. As anyone else would do, I will give you a snapshot of Toronto's well known hallmarks. However, I do have more: so called ''not-so-known'' places - please make sure to check Off the Beaten Path.

There is one thing about Toronto that puts this city aside in Canada or even internationally. Toronto is Canada's main immigrant centre. Almost half of Canada's immigrants come to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The GTA has 43% of Canada's recent immigrants, compared with shares of 18% in Vancouver, 13% in Montreal, 4% in Ottawa, and 3% in Calgary. In recent years Asia has replaced Europe as the main source of immigrants to Toronto - the countries which supplied the highest numbers of Toronto's recent immigrants were Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, China, India and Philippines. (For more information on immigration patterns in Toronto visit City of Toronto: Key facts).

Toronto gets over 16 million tourists per year. It has to offer a couple of ''number one'' attractions that make a tourists' itinerary, e.g. CN Tower (the tallest free-standing structure in the world), SkyDome (the world's first stadium to have a fully retractable roof), Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum (Canada's largest museum and one of the top 10 in the world), the Art Gallery of Ontario (Canada's oldest art gallery and home to more than 15,000 paintings). Toronto is home to Canada's Paramount Wonderland and Canadian National Exhibition that attract thousands of people not only from Canada but also from US each season. Toronto is also considered ''Hollywood North'' by film industry: it's the 3rd in TV and film production, and 2nd as exporter of TV programming in North America. The International Film Festival is held in Toronto each year. (Shown on a picture is Madison Square Garden marquee set for the movie ''The Cinderella Man''. The movie was shot in Toronto and will be starring Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger).