THE LARGEST CITIES OF CANADA

PRE-READING ACTIVITY
What do you want to know about the cities of Canada? Write some questions and then try to find out the an -
swers looking through the text.
READING
THE CITIES OF CANADA
There are some largest cities in Canada. As you know Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is situated on
the Ottawa River where the Rideau River joins it. The capital is linked with the city of Hull on the Quebec side
of the Ottawa River by six bridges, one for rail traffic only and the rest for road traffic. The population of
Ottawa is about 800,000 people.
In 1613, the site was reached by S.Champlain (1567-1635), a French explorer and first Governor of French
Canada. It was originally named Bytown. Ottawa was established as a city under its present name in 1854. It
was elected by Queen Victoria as the capital in 1858.
Today Ottawa is an industrial and commercial centre of Canada. Chief among its manufactures arc lumber,
cement, furniture and paper. To this is added a printing and publishing trade, food and beverage product, and
iron and steel product, clothing and chemicals.
There are many beautiful sights in Ottawa. They are the Parliament Buildings, the Parliament Library on
Parliament Hill, the National Arts Centre.
Montreal is the largest city in Canada, the second largest French-speaking city in the world, and the largest
inland seaport on the globe. First populated by French settlers, then by English immigrants, it has grown into a
worldly, bilingual city with unusual opportunities for cultural and economic development. It is a vital city of
contrasts, a mosaic of Canadian life. The population of Montreal is about 3 million people.
Montreal has a cold winter with snowballs, a warm and pleasant summer, a long spring and a splendid, long
autumn. First the site was occupied by the Indian town of Hochelaga when it was visited by Jacques Carrier in
1535. The permanent settlement was made in 1642 and was given the name of Ville-Marie de Montreal. From
1844 to 1849 Montreal was the seat of Canadian government. There are some places of interest in Montreal: the
City Hall, the University of Montreal, Palace Ville-Marie, Esso and Royal Bank Buildings, Maison de Radio-
Canada. The Montreal Port is the largest inland seaport in the world.
Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario and the second largest city in Canada. It is situated on the
northern shore of Lake Ontario. The population is more than 2,6 million people.
Toronto is the second largest manufacturing centre of Canada. The leading products arc coal, petroleum,
grain, general cargo and cement. The city is also a leading trade and financial centre. Toronto is an ocean port
and an educational centre. The University of Toronto is the largest University in the British Empire. Connected
with the University are Toronto General Hospital and the Royal Ontario Museum, the later is now one of the
major museums of North America. And it is also an artistic and musical centre. Both the Art Gallery of Toronto
and the Royal Conservatory of Music have won a considerable reputation. The origin of the word Toronto is
uncertain. Perhaps it was derived from the Indian words meaning "place of meeting", "trees in the water", "lake
opening", and "between the lakes". It was the capital of Canada from 1849 to 1851 and from 1855 to 1859.
Vancouver is Canada's third largest city. It is situated on the Gulf of Georgia across from Vancouver Island.
The population is over one million people. The first settlement in the area was established by 1865. Vancouver
was founded in 1881 and established as a city in 1886.
Quebec is the oldest city of Canada and the capital of Quebec Province. It is situated on the north bank of the
St. Lawrence River. The Upper Town, surrounded by a massive wall, is a part of early fortifications. On Grande
Alice and the streets near the Citadel stand the Parliament buildings (1878-1892). There arc some places of
interest and some famous buildings such as Chateau Frontenac, a large hotel erected by the Canadian Pacific
railway, Laval University, the Zoological Gardens at Charles bury, Lawrentide Park. Quebec bridge spans the
St. Lawrence River seven miles west of the city.
POST-READING ACTIVITIES
1. Say if the sentences are true or false.
1) Ottawa is the largest city of Canada.
2) Toronto stands on the River Ottawa.
3) Ottawa is the capital of Canada.
4) The population of Montreal is about 3 million.
5) Vancouver is Canada's third largest city.
2. Imagine that you work in a travel bureau. Give the facts about the largest cities of Canada.
PLAN
 1) Ottawa is the capital of Canada.
2) Montreal is the largest city of Canada.
3) Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario.
4) Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada.
5) Quebec is the oldest city of Canada.
3. Write a short article about the sights of the largest cities of Canada. Make up a plan finishing the
sentences.
Ottawa is situated on the Ottawa River where...
Ottawa was established as a city under its present...
Montreal is the largest city in Canada, the second largest...
Montreal has a cold winter with snowfalls, a warm and pleasant summer...
Toronto is situated on the ...
Quebec bridge spans the St. Lawrence River seven...