In 1973 Waterloo joined its twin city of Kitchener to form the Waterloo Regional Municipality. Its principal manufactures include alcoholic beverages, electrical equipment, furniture, machinery, metal goods, automobile parts, packaged meats, textiles, furniture, leather, and rubber goods. It also is a major center of the insurance industry. A 2006 real estate survey has estimated the population of Kitchener - Waterloo, Ontario at 451,235.