Facts and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Toronto
The Facts Page
Here are some small facts and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Toronto (and Ontario) to help you learn more about the city.
The City of Toronto is the capital of the Province of Ontario and the most populous city in Canada.
Nick names
It is common to give nicknames to big cities (think about New York as Big Apple), and Toronto has it’s share also:
- The 6 (which refers to original 6 cities on the area)
- T.O. or T Dot (Toronto, Ontario)
- The Big Smoke (this might have its origin with a writer Allan Fotheringham who used this term to mean “big reputation, little to show for it.” )
- Hogtown (this likely comes from the former large meatpacking industry)
- Toronto the good (refers to the strict moral codes at the old times, and its used nowadays sarcastically)
Time
Eastern Standard Time/EST/UTC-5 (summer EDT/UTC-4)
Population
Circa 3,000,000 (City), and circa 6,000,000 (Metropolitan area)
Currency
Canadian Dollar
Language
English
Electric
In Canada, the voltage is 120 V with 60 Hz frequency. Power plug sockets are the same ones that you can find from the United States (https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/canada/)
System of Measurements
Complicated, since Canada is officially using metric system, but they still use imperial on some occasions. Some things to notice for visitors:
- Long distances: kilometers
- Short measurements: Inches or millimeters
- Temperature: Celsius
- Volume: Liters
- Speed: Km/h
- Body height and weight: usually feet and inches, and pounds.
Temperature
Temperature: Warm, humid summers and cold winters. Average summer temperature is 26 degrees Celsius. During the winter, temperatures can drop below freezing. The temperature in the city might be 3 degrees.
Getting around
Toronto is an easy city to travel on foot or by public transit. Public transport is pretty good (as always it depends on which area you stay). The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates those buses, subways, and streetcars.
With a single day pass, you can travel with public transit as many times as you want. And there is no shortage of cabs or ubers in the city.
From airport and to the airport
Union Pearson Express train (UP Express) will get you to and from the airport. As its name says, it’s from the Pearson Internation airport to Union Station in Downtown. It has two stops on the way. Travel time is only 25 minutes, and a one-way ticket is around 12 Canadian dollars (10 USD or 8 EUR).
With a bigger group, taxi or minivan might be a good choice with prices from 60 to 80 Canadian dollars (+ tip). Travel time might change depending on the traffic (and possible snowfalls on winter time), but normally it takes about 45 minutes to downtown.
Major sports teams in Toronto
- Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL, National Hockey League)
- Toronto Raptors (NBA, National Basketball Association)
- Toronto Blue Jays (MLB, Major League Baseball)
- Toronto Argonauts (Canadian Football League)
Major sports Venues
Rogers Centre: Originally named SkyDome. It is a multi-purpose stadium in Downtown at the foot of the CN Tower. You have a good view of the stadium from the CNN Tower. Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Argonauts play there.
Scotiabank Arena: Formerly Air Canada Centre. It is an indoor arena where both Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors play their games. Located at 40 Bay Street.
Ricoh Coliseum: Home of the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies, affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Located on Lake Shore Boulevard on the grounds of Exhibition Place near the shore of Lake Ontario.
Maple Leaf Gardens: Maple Leaf Gardens is a historic building, which was originally constructed as an arena for ice hockey games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. It has since been renovated for other uses. Facade is still pretty much as it was. Located at 60 Carlton Street.
Toronto Streetcars
Toronto is one of those few cities in the Nothern America, that has streetcars for public transportation. The network is mainly focused on Downtown Toronto and close to the waterfront. There are 10 regular streetcar routes. There are a lot of connection points between streetcar and subway.