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In Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the most popular attraction is the Montreal Biodome. The word biodome comes from two Greek words: bios, meaning life, and domos, meaning house. Built in 1992 during a building boom sparked by Montreal's 350th anniversary, this unique facility houses four different ecosystems under one roof. Its goal is to heighten public awareness about environmental sciences and the need to protect our natural heritage as well as offer top-notch facilities for renowned scientists from around the world to conduct environmental research. Tours are self-guided but there are frequent informational signs and nature interpreters throughout the biodome to assist visitors.
The largest area is the lush, humid tropical forest ecosystem which measures 27,976 square feet. Its temperature and humidity resembles what would be experienced in Costa Rica. This is the most densely populated ecosystem. Hundreds of types of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish that live in and near South American rivers are in this exhibit.
While all the plants and animals are very much alive, the 6 giant trees that reach to the top of the biodome are not real. They are made of concrete. Their role is to help support the biodome roof, and cleverly hide the echnical infrastructure needed to maintain this exhibit. Rocks in all of the exhibits are also hollow. The biodome couldn't support the weight of hundreds of large rocks. Necessary water and heating systems are hidden in the artificial rocks so they do not distract from the natural surroundings.
The Laurentian forest has maple, birch, pine, and spruce trees. This exhibit shows changes that occur with each of the four seasons. It also shows the various growth stages of a forest. In the young forest visitors can see light on the ground while in the mature forest sunlight is blocked by heavy leaves. This area, which measures 16,334 square feet, also houses hundreds of fish, birds, amphibians and mammals.
The St. Lawrence marine ecosystem duplicates the Estuary and the Gulf. This area measures 17,431 square feet. Its cold waters are home to hundreds of fish and other marine species.
The polar worlds of the Arctic and Antarctic measure 6,639 square feet. Here birds from the northernmost and southernmost parts of the earth live side by side. Visitors can learn the similarities and differences between the coldest places on the planet as they observe them both side by side.
There are several restaurants and a boutique at the biodome.
Nearby attractions include the Montreal Botanical Gardens and the Montreal Planetarium.
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