Did You Know That… Toronto is the Fourth-Largest City in North America?

Did you know that our “Toronto” feature highlights captivating and lesser-known details about this dynamic city? From its historical milestones to its cultural evolution, the article is regularly refreshed with new insights, providing a deeper look into Toronto’s unique identity and vibrant community.

Did you know that…

… Toronto is the fourth-largest city in North America as of 2023, surpassed only by Mexico City, New York City, and Los Angeles? With a population of over 2.8 million in the city proper and around 6.4 million in the Greater Toronto Area, it remains Canada’s largest urban center.

… Yonge Street in Toronto, stretching over 2,000 kilometers, is often considered the longest street in the world?

… the PATH in Downtown Toronto is the world’s largest underground shopping complex? Spanning over 30 kilometers, it connects more than 75 buildings and six subway stations, with 1,200 shops and services offering a vast range of amenities. Every weekday, it facilitates movement for over 200,000 people, making it a key component of Toronto’s downtown economy and daily life.

… Toronto is often referred to as “Hollywood North“? It serves as a stand-in for major cities like New York and Chicago in countless Hollywood movies and TV shows. Around 25% of Hollywood productions are filmed in Canada, with Toronto being one of the top locations due to its diverse architecture, state-of-the-art facilities, and significant cost advantages, including tax incentives and favorable exchange rates.

… Toronto is home to over 8,100 restaurants, offering a vast range of culinary experiences across various cuisines? If you were to dine at a different restaurant every night, it would take you around 22 years to experience them all!

… Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world? With over 200 ethnic origins, the city is home to a population where more than 50% were born outside of Canada​. Its neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, Greektown, and Little India, celebrate this diversity, and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, North America’s largest street festival, showcases the city’s vibrant cultural fabric.

… Toronto is actually more southerly than Milan? Despite being in Canada, Toronto lies further south than the Italian city, making it one of the most unexpectedly warm spots in the country!

… Toronto’s 911 emergency line can assist in over 240 languages? Thanks to a partnership with LanguageLine, which provides on-demand interpretation, the service can connect callers with an interpreter in real-time, ensuring that non-English or non-French speakers get the help they need during emergencies. This service has been used more than 25,000 times, covering languages from Cantonese and Mandarin to more rare dialects like Acholi and Zyphe​.

… Toronto has been ranked as one of the safest major cities in North America? It was named the 6th safest city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit in their 2019 Safe Cities Index.

… Did you know that the Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world? Covering 710 acres, it is Canada’s largest zoo and is home to more than 16,000 animals representing over 490 species. The zoo is organized into seven geographic areas, including regions like Africa, the Americas, and the Canadian Domain.