Forget me not: 5 reasons to remember toronto
Toronto is the largest city in Canada, the fifth biggest in North America and home of the second tallest freestanding structure on the planet - the CN Tower. With the seventh strongest stock exchange in the world and a population of more than 2.5 million, Toronto is a major city where the numbers stack up.
CN Tower - photo by Kelly Nigro
1. CN Tower - tall storeys
Toronto's equivalent to the Eiffel Tower in Paris is the CN Tower, which stands proud at 553.33 metres (1,815.5 ft), making it the second tallest freestanding structure in the world after the Burj Dubai in the Middle-East (which is still being built).
Located in downtown Toronto, the Tower defines the city's skyline and is the hub of telecommunications and tourism in the vicinity.
The concept of the CN Tower originated from a desire by the Canadian National Railway to build a large TV and radio communication platform to serve the Toronto area, as well as to demonstrate the strength of the Canadian industry. These plans evolved over the next few years and the project became official in 1972, with the Tower finally being completed in 1976.
In 1995, the CN Tower was declared one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers and it also belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers.
2. Toronto Zoo - animal farm
The Toronto Zoo is located in the north Eastern part of Toronto near the Rouge River. Owned by the City of Toronto, the zoo opened its gates to the public in 1974 under its original name, the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo.
Open throughout the year except Christmas day, the Zoo encompassing 287 hectares (710 acres), making it the third largest zoo in the world.
Toronto Zoo is home to over 16,000 animals (including invertebrates and fish), representing over 460 species, and is divided into six zoogeographic regions: Indo-Malaya, Africa, the Americas, Australasia, Eurasia and the Canadian Domain.
Animals are displayed indoors in tropical pavilions and outdoors in naturalistic environments and some of the main attractions are: the award winning Gorilla Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, Kids Zoo, Waterside Theatre and a Splash Island.
3. Low Crime - safe as houses
Toronto has one of the lowest crime rates in North America and is a fine example of a diverse society living together with very little sign of conflict.
The low crime rate in Toronto has resulted in the city having a reputation as one of the safest major areas in North America, comparing favourably with other North American cities, such as New York, Vancouver, Atlanta, Boston Los Angeles and Washington D.C., when it comes to homicides, robberies and car thefts.
One of the main factors for the lack of crime in Toronto today is as a result of the Ontario government's anti-gun campaign, which was introduced in 2005 to combat the growing fears that gun related crimes were on the increase and that there were signs the city was heading into the realms of a gang culture.
4. Ontario Science Centre - one small step...
Ontario Science Centre (OSC) offers a whole new look at the wonderful world of science, geology, technology and nature.
With a reputation for a hands-on approach to science, the OSC has many exhibits that are interactive, while many others offer live demonstrations, which sometimes spill out into the surrounding areas of the Centre.
Some recent major exhibitions include looking at surviving on Mars - the challenges of humans living on another planet - to rocket-building, space surgery and simulated Martian gravity.
Built in the 60's, the innovative design of the OSC - consisting of three main buildings connected by a series of bridges and escalators - follows the natural contours of the Don River ravine, into which the Centre descends.
Some of the special shows in recent years have included: a computer art exhibit, the science of sport and an exhibition of Marvel Comics. There's also the opportunity to visit Toronto's only operating planetarium, which displays some rare rocks from the Moon.
5. Bata Shoe Museum - good for the sole
The Bata Shoe Museum is a museum that collects, researches, preserves, exhibits and interprets footwear from all around the world.
The concept originated when a Mrs Sonja Bata - who travelled globally on business with her husband Mr Thomas J. Bata (founder of the Bata Shoe Company) - started to collect traditional footwear from the areas she visited.
In 1979 the Bata family established the Bata Shoe Museum Foundation, dedicated to operating an international Centre for the research and collection of footwear. After a couple of different premises the Museum finally settled at its present location in downtown Toronto.
The Museum houses more than 12,500 shoes, spanning 4,500 years of history and various cultures and geographic regions.
As well as the amazing collection of shoes the Museum also organizes lectures, performances, and social evenings. It is estimated that approximately 10,000 students and teachers come through the doors every year on field trips.
Conclusion
Toronto offers prominent structures, cultural stimulation and is one of the safest densely populated urban cities in the world, an area full of diversity and social activity... and there's even a place solely dedicated to shoes.
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