Toronto is not only Canada's economic capital, but it also has one of the most diverse populations and has been classified as one of the world's most livable cities. But Toronto's past and present are full of weird facts and tidbits from the truly trivial to the seriously strange: * The name ''Toronto'' first appeared on a French map as ''Lac de Taranteau,'' derived from the Iroquois word tkaronto. * Today, Yorkville is a trendy downtown shopping area but it was once a cemetery for those who could not afford a church burial; the cemetery was removed in the 1870s, but human remains keep turning up at every modern-day Yorkville construction project. * The land on which Toronto was built was purchased from the Mississauga First Nation band for a few hundred British pounds, 2000 gun flints, two dozen each of kettles and hats, all the hand mirrors they could carry and 100 gallons of excellent navy rum. * Olympic sculler Ned Hanlan got in lots of midnight practice rowing crates of whisky for his bootlegger dad. * William Davies, whose pork-processing company earned Toronto the nickname ''Hogtown,'' died after being butted by a goat. * The abandoned Queen Street underground streetcar station is a location for the latest remake of the slasher movie Nightmare on Elm Street. * And many more fascinating facts.

Born in Simcoe, Ontario, to a family of food processors, A. H. JACKSON has always been fascinated by the skies above our heads. He flew his first plane at 14 and left home at 17 to continue his atmospheric exploration. Jackson believes that, in the twine of life, there are two special genes unique to humankind—hope and humour—and thinks we should all turn to the funny side of life in the face of adversity. He must have quite the sense of humour, then, since he’s been struck by lightning five times! Alan has co-authored a mystery—Pretty Maids all in a Row—and has several adventure books for young adults in the wings.

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