The Quebeckers
Population
Québec’s population is mainly concentrated in the southern section of the province along the St. Lawrence River. Québec has 91% of the French-speaking people in Canada. It is a pluralistic society that welcomes an annual average of nearly
44,500 immigrants from approximately one hundred different countries (source:
Gouvernement du Québec). Cultural communities contribute both to its dynamism and international influence. Québec has nearly 120 different linguistic, cultural and religious
communities. Each one is strongly encouraged to contribute to Québec society, while respecting its democratic values.
A few facts about Québec
Located in the north-eastern section of North America, Québec is the largest of the 10 Canadian provinces. Its territory spans 1,667,441 km2 , which means it is nearly 3 times the size of France. In addition to the Saint Lawrence River, which crosses the entire province, there is over a million lakes and watercourses that dot it. 1,200 kilometres in length, the St. Lawrence River is one of the largest navigable waterways in the world. Québec’s population density is 4.7 inhabitants per km2, which is much lower than the population density of its neighbour to the south, which is 31.3 inhabitants per km2.
| Population |
7,870,000 inhabitants |
| Geographical area |
1,667,441 km2 |
| Lakes and watercourses |
- Over a million
- 3rd largest fresh water supply on the planet
|
| Forest |
- 761,100 km2, nearly half of Québec’s territory
- 20% of Canada’s forests and 2% of the world’s forests
- Boreal forest in the south; boreal forest and tundra in the north
(Source: MRNF)
|
A little history
Europeans arrived in America in the 16th century. At that time, there were many indigenous communities that lived along the shores of the Saint Lawrence. Each nation of these Aboriginal communities had its own language and culture. With the help of the Aboriginal nations, the Europeans succeeded in adapting to the northern winter climate.
The Québec government maintains a relationship of cooperation and mutual respect with Aboriginal peoples, particularly by hearing their territorial claims. Although the federal government has primary jurisdiction over First Nations, the Québec government maintains regular ties with them through the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones, its Aboriginal affairs secretariat. Today, the 10 Amerindian nations and the Inuit nation represent over 1% of Québec’s population.
