Québec is
Canada’s largest province and consists of hilly agricultural land along the banks of the St Lawrence and vast tracts of barren
mountains in the north: a breathtaking panorama of
towering rock faces, 15,204km (9,503 miles) of
coastline, looming
canyons and craggy
fjords.
The province’s three
national parks, 22 natural parks and 16 wildlife reserves beckon outdoor enthusiasts. More than 100,000
lakes and numerous
rivers offer excellent fishing. In the tundra of Québec’s Far North (Nouveau-Québec),
caribou and other
game roam the land.
What distinguishes Québec from other Canadian provinces is its
French heritage, sustained over around 200 years. Québec’s official language is French and
Montréal (the province’s largest city) is the largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris. Both it and provincial capital
Québec City have lively old sections of cobblestoned streets where the atmosphere is overwhelmingly French.
Indeed, there is a strong
separatist movement that has put the province at odds with the rest of Canada, its aim to secure sovereignty for Québec or at least win greater autonomy. Nevertheless, two referendums held in 1980 and 1995 to determine the fate of the province returned a ’no’ to the issue of separation.
Regardless of politics, Québec offers a friendly welcome to all who visit, not to mention the greatest
gastronomy in Canada, cosmopolitan
shopping, wide, sandy
beaches, and excellent facilities for adventures ranging from
winter sports and
watersports to
hiking.
Throughout 2008, Québec City is holding celebrations marking its
400th anniversary.
GeographyThe province of Québec is in the east of Canada, with coasts on the North Atlantic and Hudson and James Bays; the St Lawrence Seaway, the major shipping channel of the Canadian east coast, cuts through the populous south; the cities of Québec and Montréal (Canada’s second-largest city) stand beside it. In the north, the Laurentians resort area has snow-covered mountains in winter and scenic lakes. The far north is a spread of forest and lakes forming one of the largest areas of wilderness in Canada.
Next Page »
