For anyone wishing to move to a new city and take out a commercial property mortgage, its important to know a little bit about the local history and culture. Montreal, one of the most unique cultural communities in both Canada and the world, has a rich past reaching back hundreds of years. Here are a few interesting facts about the city referred to by some as the Cultural Capital of Canada.

Originally called Ville-Marie upon its formation, the current name can be contributed to Mont Royal, the hill which the city is built around. Anyone who writes Toronto blogs can tell you that, like its citizens, Montreal has a personality both fiercely passionate and strongly independent. Montreal is the second largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America. French is the official language of Montreal, and is second only to Paris in population for French speaking cities. In fact, Montreal citizens have a unique edge against other Canadian citizens when applying for jobs in Ottawa Canada, as many positions in the nation's capital require bilingual language skills from applicants.

Culturally speaking, Montreal has always had a special place in Canada's heritage. In a country that holds hockey as its dearest tradition, no team has a more prominent place in the game's history than the Montreal Canadiens. Les Habitants are second only to the New York Yankees for sports championships with 24. When it comes to music, kids using acne treatment have more than enough local bands to keep their MP3 players packed, with groups like the Dears, Arcade Fire, and others defining what rock magazines are calling the new hotbed for music worldwide. Not to be outdone, the world famous Cirque du Soleil calls Montreal home, and the city couldn't be prouder. The mesmerizing performances of these world class acrobatic artists have forged a special place for Canada on the world's artistic stage.

Anyone drafting up house plans for a move to Montreal should know that the city has more restaurants per capita than any city in North America, save New York. Like its culture, Montreal cuisine has a reputation both unique and exquisite. Speaking of reputations, perhaps no city in Canada is more notorious for its nightlife than Montreal. Though many have heard stories of it, seeing is truly believing. For those who prefer a quieter kind of evening, Montreal plays host to many international festivals year round such as the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and the Montreal World Film Festival.

Though there's much more to learn about this great Canadian city, from its history to its future, nothing can provide a stronger education than experiencing Montreal first hand.