the province of quebec

8/3/2019 The Province of Quebec

1/5

The Province of Quebec

Qubec is the largest province in Canada by area and borders Ontario, New Brunswick

and Newfoundland (Labrador was attributed to Newfoundland in 1927 by the British

Privy Council). The territory of Qubec represents 15.5% of the surface area of Canadaand totals 1.5 million km2. This is equal to the size of France, Germany and Spain

combined. The province also neighbours on 4 American states: Maine, New Hampshire,

Vermont and New York.Despite its impressive size, the territory of Qubec today is only a portion of what was

once New France. The original boundaries were changed through the ROYAL

PROCLAMATION OF 1763, theQUEBEC ACT of 1774, the CONSTITUTIONAL

ACT, 1791 and the BRITISH NORTH AMERICA ACT of 1867.The French North American empire before 1763 was a vast territory including the St

Lawrence River valley, the Great Lakes region and territories around the Missouri and

Mississippi rivers from the Ohio River valley to the Gulf of Mexico. The JAMES BAY

region and the northern part of Qubec were officially British territories after the Treatyof Utrecht in 1713, half a century before the Conquest of 1760. The word Canada

(meaning "village" in Iroquoian), not Qubec, was used by the French to refer to theterritory of New France that lay along the St Lawrence River. There was a strong sense

among the French population of belonging to North America. The inclusion of the vast

interior of the continent, reinforced by the fur trade and French exploration, has never

completely disappeared from the complex sense of identity of francophone Quebeckers.The name Qubec referred, until 1763 and the Royal Proclamation, to the city of Qubec

only. The name was inspired by an Algonquian word meaning "where the river narrows."

It was the British, not the French, who first used the word Qubec in a broader sense.

Provincial Fact Sheets Qubec Places, Map Southern Qubec Places

Description

Fourteen-fifteenths of the province form part of the vast Precambrian orCanadian Shield,which is considered the most ancient geological formation in the universe. The mountains

may be classified in three groups, the Laurentians which skirt the St. Lawrence fromLabrador to a point not far from the city of Quebec and then recede, leaving a wideninglowland between them and the river as far as the Ottawa river; the Appalachians, a

continuation of the chain of the same name in the United States, which run in Canada

from the frontier in the neighbourhood of lake Champlain to the city of Quebec, and

thence to the gulf, down the St. Lawrence valley and through the Gasp peninsula; andlastly the Monteregians, situated in the western portion of the St. Lawrence lowlands. In

the Laurentians, along the gulf and the river St. Lawrence, the elevations vary from less

1
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006990http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006990http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006592http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006592http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001872http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001872http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001004http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004097http://en2.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Shieldhttp://en2.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Shieldhttp://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/customcode/TCEMediaPopup.cfm?Language=E&ArticleID=A0006591&MediaID=5648&TB_iframe=true&height=612&width=885&modal=truehttp://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/customcode/TCEMediaPopup.cfm?Language=E&ArticleID=A0006591&MediaID=2466&TB_iframe=true&height=612&width=885&modal=truehttp://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/customcode/TCEMediaPopup.cfm?Language=E&ArticleID=A0006591&MediaID=7534&TB_iframe=true&height=612&width=885&modal=truehttp://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006990http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006990http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006592http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001872http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001872http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001004http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004097http://en2.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Shield


2/5

than 1,000 to over 3,000 feet. Some peaks of the Appalachians rise to 3,000 feet in the

Eastern townships, and even to 4,000 in the Gasp peninsula. The Monteregians are

considerably lower, their highest elevation slightly exceeding 1,700 feet.

The province is abundantly watered. Its liquid area, not including tidal waters, comprises

71,000 square miles, compared with 49,300 in Ontario , the nearest rival. The main arteryis the river St. Lawrence, which brings transatlantic vessels to the harbour of Montreal,

nearly 1,000 miles from the ocean, during seven and a half months of the year. Among

the most important tributaries of the St. Lawrence must be mentioned the Ottawa, the St.Maurice, the Richelieu, and the Saguenay. With the exception of the Richelieu, the

importance of which is only local, these rivers are navigable only in part, but they have

been long used for the floating of timber. There are besides in the province of Quebec

numerous lakes of all dimensions, the largest being Mistassini lake, with an area of 840square miles.

The province extends from the 45th parallel of latitude to 62 40' north, and its

temperature is therefore of necessity varied. In the upper regions, winters are very longand extremely severe, but in the settled part the seasons do not offer very striking

contrasts. While the winters are still cold, the summers are warm and sunny. In general,the climate is considered healthy and favourable to most kinds of culture.

Traditional village scene of Quebec with the Church spire dominating

and the houses clustered around it. From a painting by J. Johnstone reproduced

in the Canadian Magazine, Vol. 61 (1923): p. 289.

2


3/5

Economy

View ofMontreal from the Mount-

Royal belvedere.

The St. Lawrence River Valley is a fertile agricultural region, producing dairy products,

fruit, vegetables,foie gras, maple syrup (of which Quebec is the world's largest

producer), fish, and livestock.North of the St. Lawrence River Valley, the territory of Quebec has significant resources

in its coniferous forests, lakes, and riverspulp andpaper, lumber, and hydroelectricity

(of which Quebec is also the world's largest producer through Hydro-Qubec) are still

some of the province's most important industries.

There is a significant concentration of high-tech industries around Montreal, includingaerospace companies such as aircraft manufacturerBombardier, the jet engine company

Pratt & Whitney, the flight simulator builderCAE, defence contractorLockheed Martin,Canada and communications company Bell Canada. In the video game industry, large

video game companies such as Electronic Arts and Ubisoft have studios in Montreal.

Government

Parliament Building in Quebec City

The Lieutenant Governorrepresents Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. The head of

government is the Premier(calledpremier ministre in French) who leads the largest partyin the unicameralNational Assembly orAssemble Nationale, from which the Council of

Ministers is appointed.

Until 1968, the Quebec legislature was bicameral, consisting of the Legislative Counciland the Legislative Assembly. In that year the Legislative Council was abolished, and the

Legislative Assembly was renamed the National Assembly. Quebec was the last provinceto abolish its legislative council.

The government of Quebec awards an order of merit called theNational Order ofQuebec. It is inspired in part by the French Legion of Honour. It is conferred upon men

and women born or living in Quebec (but non-Quebecers can be inducted as well) for

outstanding achievements.

3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrealhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dairyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetablehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foie_grashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_syruphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livestockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paperhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectricityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydro-Qu%C3%A9bechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_Aerospacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratt_%26_Whitneyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAE_(company)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Canadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Artshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubisofthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Building_(Quebec)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Lieutenant_Governors_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II_of_the_United_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Quebec_premiershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicameralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Assembly_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicameralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Council_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Assembly_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Order_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Order_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9gion_d'honneurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:L%27Assembl%C3%A9e_Nationale_du_Qu%C3%A9bec.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Montreal_Twilight_Panorama_2006.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrealhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dairyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetablehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foie_grashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_syruphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livestockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paperhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectricityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydro-Qu%C3%A9bechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_Aerospacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratt_%26_Whitneyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAE_(company)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Canadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Artshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubisofthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Building_(Quebec)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Lieutenant_Governors_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II_of_the_United_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Quebec_premiershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicameralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Assembly_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicameralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Council_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Assembly_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Order_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Order_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9gion_d'honneur


4/5

Symbols

The Fleurdelis leads a ship to harbour near Quebec

City.

Coat of armsIn 1939, the government of Quebec unilaterally ratified its coat of arms to reflect

Quebec's political history: French rule (gold lily on blue background), British rule (lion

on red background) and Canadian rule (maple leaves) and with Quebec's motto below "Jeme souviens".

Motto

Main article: Je me souviensJe me souviens ("I remember") was first carved under the coat of arms of Quebec'sParliament Building faade in 1883. It is an official part of the coat of arms and has been

the official license plate motto since 1978, replacing "La belle province" (the beautiful

province). The expressionLa belle province is still used mostly in tourism as a nicknamefor the province.

[edit] Flag

Main article: Flag of Quebec

The fleur-de-lis, the ancient symbol of the French monarchy, first arrived on the shores of

the Gaspsie in 1534 withJacques Cartieron his first voyage. In 1900, Quebec finallysought to have its own uniquely designed flag. By 1903, the parent of today's flag had

taken shape, known as the "Fleurdelis". The flag in its present form with its 4 white

"fleur-de-lis" lilies on a blue background with a white cross replaced theUnion JackonQuebec'sParliament Building on January 21, 1948.

[edit] Other official symbols

The floral emblem of Quebec is theIris versicolor.[7]

The harfang des neiges (snowy owl), official bird of Quebec.

Since 1987 the avian emblem of Quebec has been the snowy owl.[7]

4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Je_me_souvienshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Je_me_souvienshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Je_me_souvienshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Building_(Quebec)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_belle_provincehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quebec&action=edit&section=37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_monarchyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasp%C3%A9siehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Cartierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Cartierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Cartierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleurdelis%C3%A9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur-de-lishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Jackhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Jackhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Building_(Quebec)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Building_(Quebec)http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quebec&action=edit&section=38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_versicolorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_versicolorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec#cite_note-Qsymbols-6%23cite_note-Qsymbols-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowy_owlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowy_Owlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowy_Owlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec#cite_note-Qsymbols-6%23cite_note-Qsymbols-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Harfang_sur_neige.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Harfang_sur_neige.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Quebecois_flag.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Je_me_souvienshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Je_me_souvienshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Building_(Quebec)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_belle_provincehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quebec&action=edit&section=37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Quebechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_monarchyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasp%C3%A9siehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Cartierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleurdelis%C3%A9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur-de-lishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Jackhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Building_(Quebec)http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quebec&action=edit&section=38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_versicolorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec#cite_note-Qsymbols-6%23cite_note-Qsymbols-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowy_owlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowy_Owlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec#cite_note-Qsymbols-6%23cite_note-Qsymbols-6


5/5

An official tree, the yellow birch(bouleau jaune, merisier), symbolises the

importance Quebecers give to the forests. The tree is known for the variety of its

uses and commercial value, as well as its autumn colours.[7]

In 1998 the Montreal Insectariumsponsored a poll to choose an official insect. The White

Admiral butterfly (Limenitis arthemis)[70]

won with 32 % of the 230 660 votes against theSpotted lady beetle (Coleomegilla maculata lengi), the Ebony Jewelwingdamselfly

(Calopteryx maculata), a species ofbumble bee (Bombus impatiens) and the six-spottedtiger beetle (Cicindela sexguttata sexguttata).

[edit] Fte nationale

Main article: Fte nationale du Qubec

In 1977, the Quebec Parliamentdeclared June 24 to be Quebec's National Holiday.Historically June 24 was a holiday honouring French Canada's patron saint,St. John the

Baptist, which is why it is commonly known asLa Saint-Jean-Baptiste (often shortened

toLa St-Jean). On this day, the song "Gens du pays" by Gilles Vigneault is often heardand commonly regarded as Quebec's unofficial anthem.

5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_birchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_birchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec#cite_note-Qsymbols-6%23cite_note-Qsymbols-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Insectariumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Insectariumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limenitis_arthemishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limenitis_arthemishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec#cite_note-69%23cite_note-69http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinellidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebony_Jewelwinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damselflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damselflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumble_beehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_beetlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quebec&action=edit&section=39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%AAte_nationale_du_Qu%C3%A9bechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Parliamenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Parliamenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_the_Baptisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_the_Baptisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_the_Baptisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gens_du_payshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilles_Vigneaulthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_birchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec#cite_note-Qsymbols-6%23cite_note-Qsymbols-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Insectariumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limenitis_arthemishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limenitis_arthemishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec#cite_note-69%23cite_note-69http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinellidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebony_Jewelwinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damselflyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumble_beehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_beetlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quebec&action=edit&section=39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%AAte_nationale_du_Qu%C3%A9bechttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Parliamenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_the_Baptisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_the_Baptisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gens_du_payshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilles_Vigneault

the province of quebec

Documents