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High: 5.2℃ / 41.4℉
Low: 3.4℃ / 38.1℉
Humidity: 86 %
Toronto City Hall is an architectural icon of the city, designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell and opened in 1965. The building's modernist design, featuring two curved towers surrounding a saucer-like council chamber, was selected through an international competition that attracted over 500 entries from 42 countries, showcasing its global appeal and innovative concept.
The City Hall observation deck, located on the 27th floor of the East Tower, offers one of the best panoramic views of Toronto. Although access is limited and generally available only during Doors Open Toronto or special events, it provides a unique perspective on the city's skyline and architecture.
The structure is often referred to as "The Eye of the Government" because the council chamber, viewed from above, resembles an eye. This distinctive design has made Toronto City Hall one of the most recognizable buildings in Canada, frequently appearing in film and television as a symbol of the future.
Beneath Nathan Phillips Square lies one of the world's largest underground parking garages, which was an innovative solution to the challenge of providing adequate parking while preserving valuable surface space for public use. This feature is a testament to the forward-thinking design of the City Hall complex.
Toronto City Hall is not just a center for municipal governance; it also hosts a variety of cultural and public events throughout the year. Nathan Phillips Square, the large public space in front of City Hall, is home to concerts, art exhibits, a weekly farmers' market, and the popular winter ice-skating rink, making it a vibrant hub of activity in downtown Toronto.
Time Zone: Toronto operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-5).
Weather: Toronto experiences a continental climate with a wide range of weather. Summers are typically warm and humid, with average temperatures around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Winters can be cold and snowy, with temperatures often dropping below freezing, averaging -1 to -6 degrees Celsius (30 to 21 degrees Fahrenheit). Spring and autumn are generally mild.
Population: Toronto has a population of over 2.9 million people, making it the largest city in Canada and the fourth largest in North America.
Size: Toronto covers an area of approximately 630 square kilometers (243 square miles), making it one of the largest cities in North America by land area.
Language: English is the primary language spoken in Toronto. However, due to its multicultural population, the city is home to speakers of over 160 languages.
Currency: The currency used is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Credit cards are widely accepted, but it's always handy to have some cash for small purchases.
Safety: Toronto is generally considered safe for tourists. It's advisable to take standard safety precautions, especially in less familiar areas and during night time.
Tipping: In Toronto, tipping is customary. A tip of 15-20% on the total bill before tax is standard in restaurants. It's also common to tip for services like haircuts, taxi rides, and hotel housekeeping.
Electricity and Plugs: Canada uses Type A and Type B plugs, and the standard voltage is 120 V with a standard frequency of 60 Hz. Visitors from countries with different standards will need adapters.
Water: Tap water in Toronto is safe to drink and is held to high quality standards.
Address:
100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N2, Canada
Website: www.toronto.ca/city-government/city-hall/
Latitude: 43.6534
Longitude: -79.3841