Westmount

Geography

It has a population of 19 727 and one surface of 4,02 km (Statistical Canada, 2001).

The commercial main arteries of Westmount are the Avenue Greene, the Avenue Victoria, the Rue Sherbrooke and the Rue Co.-Catherine. Another important artery is the Rue Atwater. A station of subway is there: Atwater.

The Parc Westmount was conceived by Frederick Law Olmsted.

History

As from the moment when the first colonists settle there, in the middle of the 17th century, this territory is known under several names of which Pierre Montagne, Our-Lady-of-Grace and Coast-Saint-Antoine. First colonists remains a farm, the Maison hurtubise, currently in restorations. The choice of Westmount, which is essential starting from 1895, reflects well the geographical location of this city, on the south-western side of the Royal Mont, as well as the presence of an important population easy Anglophone.

During the 20th century, Westmount becomes a Banlieue cossue of Montreal, a low-size city - hardly 4 km - densément populated which has an enviable reputation for its green areas and its quality of life. One can observe this time the achievements of the architect Robert Findlay, former resident of Westmount. Among his achievements one counts the library, the town hall and several other buildings of law and order.

Still today, Westmount is the suburbs where the inhabitants are most fortunate of Canada. According to Canada Statistics, a couple of Westmount would gain on average $ 212.700

Contemporary character

Besides with the passing of years, its name remains associated with opulence with the elite Anglophone, since it was formerly populated with more 80 % by British . In particular, the families Bronfman and Molson have residence there.

However, at the end of the 20th century, the image of the anglophone elite does not reflect really any more the daily reality of Westmountais which forms an increasingly heterogeneous community. Since the beginning of the 21e century, the emergent middle-class of Westmount becomes also French-speaking. One counts:

Robert Miller, President, Future Electronics (Forbes, The World' S Richest People in 2006)
Jacques Villeneuve, racing driver professional;
Philippe de Gaspé Beaubien, Québécois businessman of scale international;
Jean Charest, First Liberal minister for Quebec;
Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada;
Lara Fabian, universal French-speaking singer.

In the imaginary popular one, the district remains nevertheless associated with the middle-class.

Municipalities bordering

Westmount is wedged in the town of Montreal.

Sources

Repertory of the municipalities of Quebec
Commission of toponymy of Quebec
municipal Businesses and areas - regional charts

See too

Westmount-Saint-Louis (provincial electoral constituency)

External bonds

Official site of the Town of Westmount
Chart of the streets of Westmount
Architecture of Westmount on Image Montreal

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