Montreal

Montreal es la segunda ciudad más grande de Canadá, la ciudad mas grande en Quebec, y la ciudad francófona más grande más allá de Paris y Kinsasa.

En la confluencia de las culturas de la Commonwealth británica, estadounidense y francófona, Montréal es un centro de actividad cultural, académica y social. Anfitriona de los Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1976 y de la legendaria Exposición Universal de 1967, y hogar de docenas de festivales culturales y artísticos cada año, Montréal ofrece un gran número de lugares y recursos adecuados para Wikimanía, así como una atmósfera cálida y multicultural para dar la bienvenida a los participantes.

Montreal (en francés: Montréal) (pronunciado [mɔ̃ʁeˈal] en francés y /ˌmʌntriˈɑːl/ en inglés) es la segunda ciudad más grande de Canadá y la ciudad más grande de la provincia de Québec. Montréal fue designada como ciudad en 1832 y, en 1860, se convirtió en la ciudad más grande en la América del Norte británica y en el indiscutible centro económico y cultural de Canadá.

Panorama del centro de Montréal visto desde el w:es:Mont-Royal

El Estadio Olímpico, sitio principal de los Juegos Olímpicos de verano de 1976

Es fácil de llegar a Montréal desde la mayoría de los destinos más importantes: más de 200 vuelos estadounidenses e internacionales aterrizan en el Aeropuerto Internacional Montréal-Trudeau cada día, llegando desde más de 70 ciudades internacionales y 25 ciudades canadienses. El centro de Montréal, compacto, seguro y limpio, está a un corto trayecto desde el aeropuerto.

Montréal, en el cruce de las culturas anglófona y francófona, tiene una ubicación ideal para celebrar reuniones tanto en francés como en inglés. Los habitantes de Montréal son predominantemente bilingües (francés e inglés), especialmente en la industria de servicios, y están ampliamente a disposición recursos en ambos idiomas para celebrar la conferencia por completo. Dentro de la Gran Montréal, con una población de 3,6 millones, el 53% de los habitantes son bilingües y el 20% habla un tercer idioma además del francés e inglés.

Clima

Los veranos de Montreal son cálidos, y a veces húmedos, con un promedio de temperaturas altas de 24 a 26ºC (75 a 79ºF) y de temperaturas bajas de 13 a 15ºC (55 a 60ºF).

Seguridad personal

Montreal comparte el bajo índice de crímenes violentos de Canadá, lo que la hace relativamente segura.

El número de emergencia de Montreal es 911. Llama a este número en una emergencia para contactar a la policía, atención médica o a bomberos.

Dinero y propinas

La mayoría de los sitios en Montreal solo acepta el dólar canadiense ($), que se divide en 100 centavos. El valor del dólar canadiense puede variar de 70 a 110 centavos estadounidenses.

La mayoría de los bienes se les añade un 14,975% de impuesto a las ventas, excepto a la comida empaquetada. Las etiquetas de precios normalmente sólo muestran el precio sin incluir los impuestos.

En los restaurantes se espera recibir un 15% de propinas.

ATMs attached to major banks accept debit cards connected to the Plus or Cirrus network. Independent ATMs might not accept foreign debit cards.

Entretenimiento

El Casino Montréal

Montréal has a Six Flags amusement park situated on Île Sainte-Hélène called La Ronde, the second-largest amusement park in Canada. It is accessible via car or public transportation (bus routes 167 or 169, or yellow line by metro). On the same island there is a water park, and a casino, if you'd like to try your luck. Montréal also has a well-developed tourist industry and multicultural population, if you'd like to walk, see the sights, or eat!

Montréal has a diverse entertainment scene. There are large venues such as Centre Bell or at the Olympic Stadium. Home to a vibrant night scene, Montréal is always alive at all times of day. The Olympic Stadium for the 1976 Olympics is still open to the public. People can ride on the gondola to go up the inclined tower and admire the view (not free).

Montréal is the host of the Festival De Jazz (Jazz Festival), Francofolies (French song festival), Juste Pour Rire (Just For Laughs) and a large number of happenings all year round; including the International des Feux Loto-Québec, the largest fireworks competition of the world taking place while Wikimania would be held.

The International des Feux Loto-Québec lights the city evenings during summer, with countries vying to win the competition with explosive enthusiasm. The International des Feux Loto-Québec lights the city evenings during summer, with countries vying to win the competition with explosive enthusiasm.   Île Sainte-Hélène is home to a large wooded area, historical fortifications (pictured), an amusement park and a water park. Île Sainte-Hélène is home to a large wooded area, historical fortifications (pictured), an amusement park and a water park.   Summer sees the streets of downtown Montréal fill with festivals and celebrations, such as the Just for Laughs humor festival. Summer sees the streets of downtown Montréal fill with festivals and celebrations, such as the Just for Laughs humor festival.   The nights are alive in Montréal; whether you're looking to catch a good meal or a good show, Old Montréal and the Quartier Latin will fill your needs. The nights are alive in Montréal; whether you're looking to catch a good meal or a good show, Old Montréal and the Quartier Latin will fill your needs.

Museos

Montréal is home to many world-class museums such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts which hosts a large collection of precious works of art and a large Napoleonic collection that was given by Ben Weider. It's also the home of the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal which hosts contemporary art exhibitions. For the science lovers, there's the Montreal Science Centre which is home to many science themed exhibitions and an Imax theatre. The Montreal Biosphère is home to a museum that is dedicated to water and the environment. In the Olympic complex, the former velodrome at the Olympic Stadium. The Montreal Biodome is home to many animals from all around the world. It's also home to a permanent collection of the Montreal Jazz Festival's collection of arts at the Galerie Lounge TD in the Maison du Jazz Rio Tinto Alcan. In 2010, The Galerie Lounge TD features the works of world-renowned Montreal native Leonard Cohen's art collection.

The Montréal Botanical gardens host a permanent Insectarium where you can see the creepy-crawlies up close and personal. The Montréal Botanical gardens host a permanent Insectarium where you can see the creepy-crawlies up close and personal.   The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts hosts a number of permanent and travelling collections of note, and has free admission at all times. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts hosts a number of permanent and travelling collections of note, and has free admission at all times.   The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal holds a large collection of modern and classical art for the connoisseur. The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal holds a large collection of modern and classical art for the connoisseur.   La basílica Notre Dame de Montréal muestra su colorido y arquitectura gótica dramática a visitantes. La basílica Notre Dame de Montréal muestra su colorido y arquitectura gótica dramática a visitantes.

Acontecimientos

En verano Montréal es sede de muchos festivales famosos que seguramente atraerán su atención, así como una multitud de actividades y exposiciones más pequeñas.

Every summer, the core of downtown plays host to the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal when more than two million people join for more than 650 concerts played over eleven days and nights, including 370 concerts staged outdoors and free of charge.

The Just for Laughs festival, the world's largest and most prestigious comedy event, presents gala performances, theatre, club shows and outdoor free performances. With comedians, street performers and performances in French and English through most of the month of July.

Explosive Saturday nights are guaranteed throughout summer as the Montréal International Fireworks Competition lights up the skies with pyrotechnicians from all over the world countries display their daring talent to compete in the most prestigious event of its kind.

Comida

Montréal is home to some world-famous restaurants. Schwartz's is famous for its smoked meat. Poutine is also offered pretty much everywhere with different flavors. One thing that makes Montreal unique with New York City is the Montreal-style bagel. Wilensky's is also a must stop for their famous sandwiches. Montréal is home to many types of restaurants. Their concepts are often varied and unique. Some of them offer local cuisine or regional plates with a modern twist. World cuisine is found almost everywhere.

SIM Card and Mobile Data Plans for Visitors

You can find a number of service providers for mobile and data services at Montreal, each with different terms. All service providers require that you to have an unlocked phone to accommodate their SIM cards,

FIDO offers three prepaid packages:

• 55 CAD (+ TAX) monthly plan: includes 750 MB data. 500 minutes calling inside Canada during the day (unlimited between 5 pm and 7 am), and unlimited texting.
• 60 CAD (+ TAX) monthly plan: includes 1 GB data, unlimited calling inside Canada. and unlimited texting.
• 70 CAD (+TAX) monthly plan: includes 2 GB data (2 cents per megabytes beyond 2GB), unlimited calling inside Canada. and unlimited texting.

You can buy a Fido plan from Fido store in Montreal.

Telus requires that you buy a SIM card for 15 CAD (+TAX) and then top up the card with one of three data options:

• 10 CAD (+ TAX) for 150 MB of data
• 25 CAD (+ TAX) for 500 MB of data
• 30 CAD (+ TAX) for 1 GB of data

You can buy a Telus SIM card from any Telus, Best Buy, or Walmart stores in Montreal.

Virgin Mobile requires that you buy a SIM card for 10 CAD (+TAX) and then top up the card with one of the three data options:

• 10 CAD (+ TAX) for 100 MB of data (overages in data usage will be charged at 15¢/MB. Not available on Blackberry)
• 25 CAD (+ TAX) for 500 MB of data (overages in data usage will be charged at 5¢/MB)  
• 35 CAD (+ TAX) for 1 GB of data (overages in data usage will be charged at 5¢/MB)

You can buy a Virgin Mobile SIM card from any Virgin Mobile kiosk or Sears stores in Montreal.

Links

• The English Wikivoyage guide to Montreal, and the specific guide for the downtown district around the venue
• Le guide de voyage de Montréal sur Wikivoyage en français