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Quebec City or Québec* (French: Ville de Québec, or simply Québec) is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec. It is the largest city in eastern Quebec. Quebec's Old Town (Vieux-Québec), the only North American fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist, was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1985. The city has a population of 528,595, and the metropolitan area has a population of 717,600 (2005).

Quebec City is known for its Winter Carnival and the Château Frontenac, an historic hotel which dominates the city skyline. The Assemblée nationale du Québec (provincial parliament), the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Museum of Civilization are found within or near Vieux-Québec.

Among the tourist attractions in the city are Montmorency Falls and the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré in the town of Beaupré.

History

History of the name Quebec

The low width of the river as it enters the towns of Quebec and Lévis, on the opposite bank, provided the name given to the city, Kébec being the Algonquin word meaning "where the river narrows".

From Stadacona to James Wolfe

Quebec City is not the oldest settlement in Canada; Port Royal, Nova Scotia, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador and Tadoussac, Quebec were all created earlier. However Quebec city is the first to have been founded with the explicit goal of receiving permanent settlement and not as a commercial outpost, and therefore is often considered to be the first city in Canada.

It was founded by Samuel de Champlain on 3 July 1608 at the site of a First Nations settlement called Stadacona. It was to this settlement that the name "Canada" refers (kanata is an Iroquoian word meaning "village"). It is the cradle of the Francophone population in North America. The place seemed favourable to the establishment of a permanent colony.

At the end of French rule, the territory of present-day Quebec City was a world of contrasts. Forests, villages, fields and pastures surrounded the town of 8 000 inhabitants. The town distinguished itself by its monumental architecture, fortifications, muddy and filthy streets, affluent homes of masonry and shacks in the suburbs St-John and St-Roch. Despite its urbanity and its status as capital, Quebec City remained a small colonial city with close ties to its rural surroundings. Nearby inhabitants traded their farm surpluses and firewood for imported goods from France at the two city markets.

Quebec City was captured by the British in 1759 and held until 1763. It was the site of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham during the Seven Years' War, in which British troops under General James Wolfe defeated the French general Louis-Joseph de Montcalm and took the city. France later ceded New France to Britain.

British rule

During the American Revolution, the British garrison at Quebec City was assaulted by American troops in the Battle of Quebec. The defeat of the Americans put an end to their hopes that Canada would also rebel. Major General Isaac Brock fortified Quebec City by strengthening the walls and building an elevated artillery battery before the War of 1812.

Quebec City was the capital of Canada from 1859 to 1865. After the Province of Canada was formed, the capital moved to Kingston and Montreal. When the Dominion of Canada was formed in 1867, the capital was moved to Ottawa. The Quebec Conference on Canadian Confederation was held here.

20th and 21st centuries

In World War II, two conferences were held in Quebec City. The first one was held in 1943 with Franklin Delano Roosevelt (the United States' president), Winston Churchill (the United Kingdom's prime minister), William Lyon Mackenzie King (Canada's prime minister) and T.V. Soong (China's minister of foreign affairs). The second one was held in 1944, and was attended by Churchill and Roosevelt. They took place in the buildings of the Citadelle and of nearby Château Frontenac.

Capital

Through nearly 500 years of its existence, Quebec City has served as a capital:
  • from 1608 to 1627 and 1632 to 1763, it was capital of French Canada and all of New France,
  • from 1763 to 1791, it was the capital of the Province of Quebec,
  • from 1791 to 1841, it was the capital of the Province of Lower Canada,
  • from 1849 to 1865, it was capital of the Province of Canada,
  • from 1867 to today, it has been capital of the Province of Quebec.

It is also the principal city of the Agglomeration of Quebec City, the Greater Quebec City Area, the administrative region of Capitale-Nationale, and the Quebec City Area.

French and English names for Quebec City

The city is called Québec (with an acute accent) by both the provincial and federal governments in both languages. To differentiate between Quebec the city and Quebec the province in English, the city is commonly referred to as "Quebec City" while the province is referred to as "Québec". It is common for the accent to be dropped in English texts.

In French, Quebec City is generally referred to simply as "Québec" without the French equivalent of the word "city." French names of large geographical regions such as provinces and countries are typically preceded by articles whereas city names are not (unless it is part of the name, such as "La Malbaie"). As a result, the province is called le Québec ("in Quebec" = au Québec, from Quebec = du Québec) while the city is simply Québec ("in Quebec City" is à Québec, "from Quebec City" = de Québec).

The official legal, corporate name of the city is Ville de Québec in both languages. In the English section of Quebec City's official website, the city is referred to as "Québec City" (with the acute accent over the 'e').

In French, residents of Quebec City are called Québécois (male) or Québécoise (female). To avoid confusion with Québécois/e meaning an inhabitant of the province, the term Québécois/e de Québec for residents of the city is sometimes used (as opposed to Québécois/e du Québec, resident of the province). As noted above, in French, the city is Québec (possessive form "de Québec") and the province, le Québec (possessive form "du Québec"). In English, the term Quebecer (or Quebecker) is generally (and variably) used.

Also, Quebec City is sometimes referred to as "la capitale nationale" ("the national capital"). This colloquialism is controversial, politically charged and can be confusing to non-"Québécois," since Ottawa, Ontario is the National Capital of Canada.

Municipal public administration


City Council

The mayor of Quebec City is Andrée P. Boucher, independent, and the chief of the official opposition is Ann Bourget from the Renouveau municipal de Québec.

Party Initial Chief Governorship Opposition Seats
Renouveau municipal de Québec R.M.Q. Ann Bourget 1989 - 2006 2006 - 24
Action civique de Québec A.C.Q. Pierre-Michel Bouchard 6
Parti Vision Québec V.Q. Marc Bellemare 1
Option Capitale O.C. Pierre Coté 0
Independent Ind. 6
Vacant 0
Total 37

Boroughs Council

Quarters Council

Public safety

Quebec City is protected by Service de police de la Ville de Québec and Service de protection contre les incendies de Québec.

International networks, twinning and agreements

Quebec City is twinned with the cities of :

It has agreements of co-operation and friendship with :

The city today

Quebec City has 34 districts in 8 boroughs.

BoroughDistricts
La CitéLatin/Old Québec · Quartier gai · Saint-Jean-Baptiste · Montcalm · Saint-Sacrement · Petit Champlain* ·Saint-Sauveur · Saint-Roch · Saint-Malo
Les RivièresVanier · Lebourgneuf · Neufchâtel · des Saules · Duberger
Sainte-Foy—SilleryCité universitaire · Saint-Louis · Sillery · Pointe-de-Ste-Foy
CharlesbourgSaint-Rodrigue · des Sentiers · des Monts
BeauportVieux-Moulin · Sainte-Thérèse-de-Lisieux · Villeneuve · Courville
LimoilouMaizerets · Vieux-Limoilou · Lairet · du Colisée
La Haute-Saint-Charles
Laurentien
* These neighbourhoods are not legally separate.

The Lower Town is filled with Statues ,Wall paintings and gorgeous streets and shops.

Demographics

According to the last (May 2001) census, there were 682,757 people residing in Quebec City, of whom 48.2% were male and 51.8% were female. Children under five accounted for approximately 4.7% of the resident population of Quebec City. This compares with 5.2% in the province of Quebec, and 5.6% for Canada overall.

In mid-2001, 13.0% of the resident population in Quebec City was of retirement age (65 and over for males and females) compared with 13.2% in Canada; therefore, the average age is 39.5 years of age compared to 37.6 years of age for Canada as a whole.

In the five years between 1996 and 2001, the population of Quebec City grew by 1.6%, compared with an increase of 1.4% for the province of Quebec as a whole. Population density of Quebec City averaged 216.4 people per square kilometre, compared with an average of 5.3, for the province of Quebec as a whole.

At the time of that May 2001 census, the population of the Quebec City authority was 682,757, but was 710,700 when encompassing the Greater Quebec City Area, compared with a resident population in the province of Quebec of 7,237,479 people.

According to the 2001 census, over 90% of the population was Roman Catholic, along with sizable Jewish and Protestant populations.

1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2006
131 000 151 000 289 000 379 000 481 000 576 000 646 000 683 000 720 000

Transportation

Quebec City is served by Jean Lesage International Airport, located in the West of the city. Web site

The city also has a large major port on the St-Lawrence in the first, fifth and sixth boroughs. Web site

Three bridges, the Quebec Bridge and Pierre Laporte Bridge connect the city with the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River, as does a ferry service to Lévis, and Orleans Island Bridge connects Quebec City with the Orleans Island. The city is a major hub in the Quebec provincial road network, fanning out from both sides of the river with an extensive autoroute system.

Several important motorways of the Quebec road network pass by Quebec City, of which Autoroute 40 connects it towards the west to Montreal and Autoroute 175 connects it towards the north to Saguenay.

Three principal expressways cross the agglomeration from the north to the south (starting from the west) : Autoroute Henri-IV, Autoroute du Vallon, and Autoroute Laurentienne. Three other motorways cross the western part of town (from north to south): Autoroute Félix Leclerc (known by the inhabitants as "Autoroute de la Capitale"), Autoroute Charest, as well as Champlain Boulevard, which goes along the river to the Downtown area, then another Autoroute called Dufferin-Montmorency allows easier access to the extreme east of the city.

The city is served by VIA Rail (Gare du Palais), and is the eastern terminus of the railway's main Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. The provincial networks of transport per long distance bus have also their station at this place.

The Réseau de transport de la Capitale is responsible for public transportation by bus. Web site in French only

Museums

  • Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
  • Musée de la civilisation
  • Musée de l'Amérique française
  • Espace Félix Leclerc
  • Musée naval de Québec
  • Choco-Musée Erico
  • Musée des Ursulines de Québec
  • Musée du Fort
  • Musée du Royal 22e Régiment
  • Musée Québec Expérience
  • Mussee de l'Abeille

Natural science sites

  • Jardin zoologique du Québec, reopened in 2002 after two years of restorations but closed in 2006 after a political decision. It was presenting to the public 750 specimens of 300 different species. The zoo was specialized in winged fauna and garden themes, but also presented several species of mammals. While it emphasizes the indigenous fauna of Quebec, one of its principal attractions was the Indo-Australian greenhouse, featuring fauna and flora from these areas.
  • Parc-Aquarium du Québec, reopened in 2002 on a site overlooking the St. Lawrence River, presents approximately 3500 specimens of mammals, reptiles, fish and other aquatic fauna of North America and the Arctic. Polar bears and various species of seals of the Arctic sector and the "Large Ocean", a large basin offering visitors a view from underneath, form part of the principal attractions. Website : http://www.spsnq.qc.ca/

Media

Radio

Television

Print

Quebec City's main daily newspapers are the broadsheet Le Soleil and the tabloid Le Journal de Québec. The Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph, a weekly English community paper, is also published. It claims to be North America's oldest newspaper, in existence since 1764.

Personalities associated with Quebec City

Attractions

Many of the city's attractions are east of the fortification walls in Vieux-Québec (Old Quebec). This area has a distinct European feel unique in North America with its stone buildings and winding streets lined with shops and restaurants. Porte St-Louis (St. Louis Gate) and Porte St-Jean (St. Jean Gate) are the main gates through the walls from the modern section of downtown. West of the walls are the Colline-Parlementaire (Parliament Hill) district and the Plaines d'Abraham (Plains of Abraham).

Quebec City's skyline is dominated by the massive Château Frontenac Hotel, perched on top of Cap-Diamant. The hotel is beside the Terrasse Dufferin (Dufferin Terrace), a walkway along the edge of the cliff, offering beautiful views of the Saint Lawrence River.

Near the Château Frontenac is Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral, mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec. It is the first church in the New World to be raised to a basilica and is the primatial church of Canada.

The Terrasse Dufferin leads toward the nearby Plains of Abraham, site of the battle in which the British took Quebec from France, and the Citadel of Quebec, a Canadian Forces installation and the federal vice-regal secondary residence. The National Assembly, Quebec's provincial legislature, is also near the Citadelle.

The Haute-Ville(Upper Town) is linked by the Escalier «casse-cou» (literally "neck-breaker" steps) and a funicular to the Basse-Ville (Lower Town), which includes such sites as the ancient Notre Dame des Victoires church, the historic Petit Champlain district, the port, and the Musée de la Civilisation (Museum of Civilization). Laval University is located in the western end of the city, in the borough of Sainte-Foy. However, Laval University's school of architecture is located in Vieux Quebec. The central campus of the Université du Québec is also located in Quebec City. Canon balls are placed beside "Château Frontenac" !!

Quebec City is known for its Winter Carnival and for its Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations.

Tourist attractions located near Quebec City include Montmorency Falls and the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

Post-secondary education

University level

College level

  • Cégep François-Xavier-Garneau
  • Cégep O'Sullivan
  • Cégep Limoilou
    • Campus of 6th borough (Registered office)
    • Campus of 4th borough
    • Campus of the "Maison des métiers d'art de Québec"
  • Cégep de Sainte-Foy
  • Collège Notre-Dame-de-Foy
  • Collège Mérici
  • Collège Bart
  • Collège CDI
  • Collège Multihexa
  • Champlain-St. Lawrence College (English-speaking Cégep)

Canone balls are placed beside this Hotel.

Festivals and events

Contest

  • Concours de musique du Canada (Le) Web site in French only was established in Quebec and caters to young Canadian musicians under 25 (under 30 for singers) aspiring to compete at the international level in various disciplines.

Autumn (September & October)

  • Envol et macadam Web site in French only is both a contest and a festival of alternative music held annually in September. It is devoted to the latest musical trends (Punk, Hip-hop, Techno, Rock'n'Roll) and features indoor and outdoor shows.
  • Fête du quartier Saint-Sauveur is celebrated annually in September in the First District.
  • Festival des journées d'Afrique, Danses et Rythmes du monde Web site in French only is held September, featuring African and Latin American shows.
  • Fête Arc-en-ciel Web site in French only is a gay and lesbian festival held in September.
  • Journées de la Culture (Les) Web site offers free cultural events in September
  • Québec Ateliers Ouverts Web site in French only, held every two years in September. Professional artists and craftsmen open their workshops to the general public to showcase their works and techniques.

Winter (November to March)

  • Carnaval de Québec (Le) Website is the biggest winter carnival in the world, held over two weeks in February.
  • Coup de cœur francophone (Le) Web site in French only is a festival of Francophone music held in November each year in 8 Canadian cities. In Quebec City, the event is held over 10 days in small venues.
  • Festival des musiques sacrées de Québec (Le) Web site in French only is held in November and features sacred music from various nations and time periods.
  • Parade des jouets (La) Web site in French only is an interactive parade of mascots and floats held in November by city firefighters to collect toys and gifts for local underprivileged children.
  • Mois Multi (Le) Web site in French only features electronic and multidisciplinary art expositions, held annually in February.
  • Québec Celebrates Christmas Web site is held in December and January, features activities and exhibits throughout Quebec City.

Spring (April & May)

Summer (June to August)

  • Birthday Of Quebec City Web site give place to family festivals of district in the districts of the city on July 3 of each year. Major demonstrations will take place all the summer 2008 for the 400e birthday of foundation of the city.
First borough (La Cité)
  • Grand Rire (Le) Web site in French only is a festival of humour, who takes place over 10 days in June. Spectacles in sport and official receptions in room introduce humorists of Quebec city and elsewhere, beginners or confirmed.
  • Fête nationale des Québécois et des Québécoises is celebrated by various activities including one large outside spectacle in the evening of June 23 on the Plains of Abraham.
  • Fête du Canada (La) Web site is celebrated to it June 30th and July 1st at vearious locations in the Old-Quebec, by spectacles and activities and free admission to the national historic sites of the city.
  • Festival d'été de Québec (Le) Web site is a major event which annually presents during two weeks in July a great number of musical spectacles (popular, French-speaking person and English-speaking, music of the world, classical music) for the majority in sport and of many services in arts of the street at various places in the old capital as well as interior spectacles in various rooms of the capital.
  • Fête du Faubourg (La) is a street fair which takes place in the Saint-Jean-Baptist district in the first borough (La Cité) on a weekend beginning July, annually.
  • Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France (Les) Web site is a major event which presents during one week in August various activities allowing of replonger the XVIIe century, the time of Nouvelle-France, in the Old-Quebec and the Royal Place (processions, spectacles, animations, demonstrations of the everyday life of the time, market in sport of Nouvelle-France, dressed up observers and citizens, etc.).

Sports

Sports teams

Former teams

Sports events

The Quebec Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 to 1979 and then in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1979 to 1995, maintaining a strong rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens. Due to financial problems, the team moved to Denver, Colorado in 1995, becoming Colorado Avalanche. There has been discussion of bringing a team back to the city, but mayor Andrée Boucher has not supported the project. It is generally expected that Quebec City will need to build a new arena to get a new team, replacing the Colisée Pepsi, as well as organizing an ownership group.

There have been discussions around getting a Canadian Football League team. Quebec City is expected to be in competition with Moncton and Halifax for the franchise, though a new stadium would likely be needed as well. The local football team, the Rouge & Or of the Université Laval remains popular.

Quebec City has...

See also

Roadway system of Québec City
  • List of bridges in Québec City
  • List of parks and gardens in Québec City
  • Streets of Québec
  • List of highways in Québec City
Buildings and structures

External links

1608 establishments | Capitale-Nationale | Cities in Quebec | Greater Quebec City Area | Provincial and territorial capitals of Canada | Quebec City | World Heritage Sites in Canada

Québec (stad) | Ciutat de Quebec | Québec | Québec by | Québec (Stadt) | Κεμπέκ (πόλη) | Ciudad de Quebec | Kebeko | Québec (ville) | Quebec (cidade) | 퀘벡 시 | Kota Quebec | Québec (città) | Urbs Quebecis | Québec (stad) | ケベック市 | Québec (miasto) | Quebec (cidade) | Oraşul Québec | Квебек (город) | Quebec City, Quebec | Quebec (mesto) | Québec (kaupunki) | Quebec | Thành phố Québec | 魁北克市

 

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