With over 30 million people, Canada is the second largest country in the world. Spanning almost 10 million square kilometers, it is also one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Canada is divided into 10 provinces and three territories, with major cities in almost every province.

If you are thinking about immigrating to Canada, it can be hard to decide which city is right for you. To help you make an informed choice, here is some information about Canada’s major cities:

Montreal
Located in Quebec, the largest province in Canada, Montreal is the country’s second largest city (behind Toronto), with a population of almost two million people. The majority of people in Montreal speak both French and English, and strongly support Canada’s bilingual culture.

Montreal has a harsh winter, which makes it great for winter sports. Residents can also weather the cold by traveling through the city’s underground corridors. Offering a winter wonderland during the cold season, a vibrant nightlife year-round, superb cuisine, and cultural diversity, Montreal is a favourite tourist location. It is also rich with well-known festivals, such as the Montreal Jazz Festival and Montréal Canadian Grand Prix.

Visit the YMCA of Greater Montreal for more information.

Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It has a population of 1.2 million people – making it the fourth-largest urban area in the country. It is located in the province of Ontario, at the intersection of three mighty rivers. It is also home to many large technology companies, leading some people to call it “Silicon Valley North”.

Canada’s Parliament Buildings are located in Ottawa, and many people in the city work for the federal government. Ottawa also attracts more than 5.5 million tourists each year. In addition to visiting the Parliament Buildings, tourists come to see Ottawa’s major arts and sciences facilities, including the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the National Gallery of Canada, and the National Arts Centre.

Ottawa was ranked sixth in the world in terms of its quality of life by the Corporate Resources Group, a Swiss-based management firm. To learn more about Ottawa, feel free to visit the YMCA of Ottawa-Carleton Web site.

Winnipeg
With a population of just over 650,000, Winnipeg is the capital city of the province of Manitoba. Summers in Winnipeg are typically very warm and dry, making it perfect weather for the city’s many festivals. In fact, the Winnipeg Folk Festival is a legend around the world! The city also boasts many parks that provide residents with excellent opportunities for walking, biking, skiing and other recreational activities.

Culturally, Winnipeg is home to a world-class ballet company (the Royal Winnipeg Ballet), as well as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Opera Company, and the Manitoba Theatre Centre. To learn more about the city, visit the YMCA of Winnipeg Web site.

Calgary
With almost one million people, Calgary is the most populous city in the province of Alberta. Although winters are long with a lot of snow, the western Chinook winds bring week-long “breaks” that melt all the snow and ice away. As a result, winters can seem shorter than they are. For their part, summers in Calgary are usually hot and dry.

The city of Calgary boasts many world-class recreational facilities, including a legacy from the 1988 Winter Olympics. It also hosts many international sporting events, and is home to several professional Canadian sports teams. For more information about Calgary, visit the YMCA of Calgary.

Vancouver
Vancouver, located in the province of British Columbia, is a beautiful and vibrant city known for its many attractions, including Granville Island, Robson Street, and Stanley Park. Although the city proper has a population of roughly 600,000 people, the Greater Vancouver Area has over two million residents. Vancouver is the largest city in its province, and the third largest city in Canada.

Located in the southwestern part of the country, and surrounded by water on three sides, Vancouver's climate is one of the mildest in Canada. Temperatures average 3°C in January and 18°C in July. In 2001, the city was rated the best in the world for quality of life and is one of the only cities in Canada where you can ski and swim in the sea at the same time of the year.

For more information about Vancouver, visit the YMCA of Greater Vancouver Web site.