The city of Toronto is believed to mean 'meeting place” and indeed it is the meeting place of many: culture, commerce, beauty, communications and efficiency. It is also the meeting place and the home of many immigrants making the city’s cultural scene a rich one. It is so rich that the number of its ethnic groups goes up to 80 and no wonder the population’s number reaches 4.5 million residents.
The area of the city had been long populated by the native Huron peoples before it became a French trading post and Toronto’s history as a city began in 1834. Along the years it was under different rules and this was the beginning of the mixture of different ethnic groups that came to live here and call the settlement their home. Here you will see huge communities of Portuguese, Italian and Chinese people that have maintained their traditions and identities and even if they all live in Canada they have adopted only the basic Canadian character. There are other smaller communities of other ethnic groups like Greek, Jewish or Vietnamese and others adding to the rainbow of Toronto’s cultural scene.
There aren’t many cities with such diversity and it makes it Canada’s Babylon where it seems like all the languages on earth are spoken, but unlike the people in Babylon Toronto’s residents understand each other and live together peacefully. It is one of the many things that make the city appealing to tourists that can hear different languages spoken that they would otherwise hear only on TV and they can experience the traditions and the particular character of all these immigrants. So the tourists’ most favored attractions are the different ethnic neighborhoods like Chinatown, Koreatown, Corso Italia, Little Italy, Kensington Market, Greektown, Little Poland, Portugal Village and Indian Bazaar. They are all interesting to see and experiencing the different food is a delight. Not even talking about the different shops where you can find things specific to their culture.
Having such a diverse mix in one place surely helped the city prosper as the immigrants brought not only their culture, but also their way of live and they could learn from each other and select only the best. And they did as it is a safe, clean, and orderly city and people respect each other and their rights to living peacefully in one place. But the city is also very lively as you would expect a metropolis to be. There’s lot of action going on its streets whether it is shopping above on Toronto's main thoroughfare Yonge Street or in Toronto's underground city, looking for a restaurant or café to sit in or a bit of divertissement in one of the many theatres.
There’s a seat for every play, and a thrill for every interest. The world class ballet and symphony offer an equally entertaining evening and if you happen to be in the city in September you will have the chance to take part in an international film festival and brush elbows with celebrities while enjoying a night out in town.
The city’s diverse and exciting nightlife scene showcaes obscure rock operas and art, dark divey clubs, pumping clubs with plenty of venues to suit every taste and budgets and the new Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is among the best. The bar scene is at its best along Dundas West, but theare are loads of underground parties going on in several clubs known on the circuit for their all-night scene; lots of all-night clubs are on the Danforth and College is the place where you can dance the night away.
The hottest spots in town are the areas including Lake Ontario and the islands sit in Lake Ontario which combines the outdoors with city like activities. But people come here mostly for the spectacular views and the green spaces that form more than 550 acres of parkland. Wonderful views of the city and a lovely at sunset can be also seen from the one of the observation decks at the CN Tower.
Toronto is a continuous adventure for tourists seeking fun, adrenaline, but also rich history, and breathtaking architecture.
