Montréal, founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Petite Riviere, is Canada and Quebec's largest city. Montréal is the greatest economic hub in Canada, only rivaled by Toronto further inland, which has been steadily closing the gap. Montréal is more than just an economic hub; it is also the heart of French culture in Canada. Hundreds of Catholic churches inhabit the city, where English and French traditions combine into a unique cultural identity, one they will ardently defend until the end of time. Montréal's political importance cannot be understated, as a politician that angers the French will find voters numbered in the hundreds of thousands ready to oppose them.