Known as “la belle province”, the Québec region is located in eastern Canada. Want to know more about where Quebec is? Find out here!
Quebec is located in eastern Canada, between Hudson Bay and the United States, and borders the province of Ontario to the west and the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick to the east.
It stands out among the other provinces of Canada for being the largest in territorial extension, with a total area of 1,542,056 square kilometers! What’s more, Quebec is the only Canadian province whose official language is French.
As it has the largest French-speaking population outside of France, Quebec is a very interesting destination for those who want to practice their French language skills, or who are looking for professional opportunities, security and a better quality of life – major attractions for immigrants.
Want to know more about Quebec, the beautiful Canadian province? Read on!
Québecgeneral geographical characteristics
Quebec is a province in eastern Canada with an area of 1,542,056.00 km². It has more than 8 million inhabitants and the largest metropolitan areas are La Ville de Québec, Montréal and Gatineau. The region where Québec is located offers absolutely enchanting scenery.
In fact, it is the most diverse territory in Canada. From Les Laurentides – one of the oldest geological formations in the world, stretching from the Outaouais region to the Côte-Nord – to Lac Saint-Jean, you’ll find some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world!
Shall we explore some aspects?
- National Parks
World-renowned for their incomparable natural beauty, the national parks are scattered throughout the province. Highlights include Miguasha National Parkdeclared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Parc national des Grands-Jardins and the Parc Les-Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie. Do you like camping and hiking? There’s no better place!
- Flora
Geographically, the vegetation in Quebec is also quite diverse, ranging from taiga (20%), tundra (24%) and boreal forest (27%), to the fertile river plains between the Canadian Shield and the Appalachians. The enchanting forests cover around 750,300 km² and are mainly made up of coniferous trees, such as pines, white spruce and black spruce.
- Fauna
As for the fauna, Quebec is home to many types of wild animals. The most common are deer, elk, musk oxen, reindeer, black bears and polar bears. There are also medium-sized animals such as the puma and the coyote. Other small animals include the gray squirrel and the hare.
- Topography
Another impressive geographical feature of Quebec is the province’s mountainous formations. The highest are Mont D’Iberville (1,622 m) in the Torngat mountain range in Nunavik and Mont Jacques-Cartier (1,268 m) in the Chic-Choc mountain range in Gaspésie.
- Weather
In terms of climate, the province is divided into three zones, which correspond to the predominant vegetation – forest, taiga and tundra: polar climate in the north, subpolar climate in the central area and humid continental climate in the south and west.
It should be emphasized that in densely populated metropolitan areas there are also four well-defined seasons with significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year.
There are so many things to enjoy in every season! Whether you’re looking for winter sports or an outdoor adventure on your summer vacation, Québec has it all! But that’s a topic for another post!
- Demographic distribution
Where Quebec is located, the population is very unevenly distributed, with 80% living along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, from Montréal to La Ville de Québec. The Montréal region alone accounts for around 50% of the population, according to the 2016 census.
In most of the north of the province, however, the region is populated only by indigenous peoples, living in small isolated communities scattered along the coast. The Inuit, who live in the far north, for example, occupy a separate area called Nunavik.
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So, did you like finding out a bit more about Quebec? This culturally rich province is a great place to explore because it’s full of history! In fact, there are so many different things to see there that you’ll never get bored.
What’s more, if you love the French language, Quebec is one of the best places to learn the language and have a total immersion experience. If you get the chance, don’t miss it! You’ll be amazed!
Want to find out more about the French spoken in Quebec? Follow our blog!
Here at École Québec we have more than fifteen years’ experience in teaching français québécois, our own methodology and qualified teachers who have lived in Quebec (some of whom are even native speakers). We’re ready to take you on this journey of learning and studying a new language. Count on us!
Study from the comfort of your own home and be prepared to live in Quebec! Take a free lesson right now!
