La Ronde is the largest theme park in the province of Quebec and the second largest in Canada after Canada's Wonderland, with about 2.5 million entrances in 2006.

It is a 146 acre (591,000 m²) park located on Saint Helen's Island in Montreal, Canada. It lies on the former site of the 1967 Montreal World's Fair. The park hosts L’International des Feux Loto-Québec, possibly the most important international fireworks competition in the world.

La Ronde was opened in 1967 as a part of Expo 67 and now features 39 rides, including 9 roller coasters. Among them includes Le Monstre, a 40 metre (131 ft) high wooden double-tracked roller coaster which currently holds the record for highest double-tracked roller coaster in the world.

In May 2006, La Ronde opened its 9th roller coaster, The Goliath, a 53-metre (175 ft) high Bolliger & Mabillard Mega Coaster. It reaches speeds of 110 km/h (68 mph), making it the tallest and the fastest roller coaster in Canada.

La Ronde also includes a Nintendo-sponsored video game center. Inside are the latest Nintendo video games and attractions. For 2006, the attractions include Nintendo Gamecubes, Nintendo DS's, and advertisements of the Wii. The park opens from mid-May to late October, with peak admissions being in July. As of summer 2007, entrance costs $37.00 CAN people measuring 1.37 metre (54 inches) or more and $24.50 CAN for people under 1.37 metre (54 inches). Family rides require a height of 36 inches (0.91 m), most intermediate rides require 44 inches (1.12 m) and high-thrill rides require 52 or 54 in (1.32 or 1.37 m).

La Ronde was owned and administered by the City of Montreal until it was sold to Six Flags, an American theme park chain, in a deal completed on May 4, 2001. They acquired all of the assets of the park for $20 million USD and have a long-term contract to lease the land from the city. Before the announcement of the Six Flags purchase, the city had considered offers from other bidders including Paramount Parks, Cedar Fair, and Parc Astérix. Since then Six Flags has invested millions of dollars in new rides and improvements, such as Vampire, Splash, and Goliath as well as a new main entrance.

[Source: Wikipedia]

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