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Quebec is the largest and second-most populous province of Canada, with French as its official language. It has a rich and diverse history, from its Indigenous and colonial past to its modern role in Confederation and independence debates.
Discover 400 years of history and culture in Old Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure. Explore the seasons, attractions, cuisine and tips for a sustainable stay in this unique destination in North America.
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- Relief, drainage, and soils
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Quebec, eastern province of Canada. Constituting nearly one-sixth of Canada’s total land area, Quebec is the largest of Canada’s 10 provinces in area and is second only to Ontario in population. Its capital, Quebec city, is the oldest city in Canada. The name Quebec, first bestowed on the city in 1608 and derived from an Algonquian word meaning “where the river narrows,” beckons visitors to the city’s splendid view of the majestic St. Lawrence River and the pastoral Orleans Island. The province’s major metropolis, Montreal (Montréal), encompassing Montreal Island, Jesus Island to the north, and several communities on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, is the second largest city in Canada. Quebec is bounded to the north by Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay, to the east by the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, to the southeast by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, New Brunswick, and the U.S. state of Maine, to the south by the U.S. states of New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, and to the west by Ontario, James Bay, and Hudson Bay.
The boundaries of Quebec were altered many times following the establishment of New France in the early 17th century, when the French colonial empire in North America spread all the way to the Gulf of Mexico and west of the Mississippi River. At that time James Bay, Hudson Bay, and the Ungava region belonged to the British Hudson’s Bay Company. In 1898 Quebec’s boundary was extended north to the Eastmain River and east to Labrador. The district of Ungava was added less than two decades later. Quebec’s present-day boundaries were determined in 1927, when the British Privy Council granted Labrador to Newfoundland (now the province of Newfoundland and Labrador). Today the province of Quebec’s French-speaking political leaders continue to dispute this decision but honour the 1927 boundary.
Quebec’s territory comprises extensions of three of Canada’s main physiographic regions: the St. Lawrence Lowlands, the Appalachian Uplands, and the Canadian Shield (also called the Laurentian Shield). Each region is a storehouse of unique natural and human resources, which accounts for their different settlement and development patterns over the past centuries.
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The most fertile and densely populated region of the province, stretching from Quebec city to Montreal along both sides of the St. Lawrence River, is the St. Lawrence Lowlands. The lowland plain was initially home to various aboriginal communities and then was settled quickly by Europeans during the early history of New France. The lowland plain remains the heart of Quebec’s small but vibrant agricultural sector, as well as the core of its expanding urban communities and changing industrial economy.
Stretching from the Gaspé Peninsula to the border of the United States, Quebec’s Appalachian Uplands region is the northern extension of the Appalachian Mountains. It is covered with forested hills, arable plateaus, and high plains, undulating and rising to the higher mountain ranges of the United States. This region also includes Anticosti Island, situated in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence northwest of the Gaspé Peninsula.
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Learn about Quebec, the largest province of Canada by area and the second most populous, with a rich and diverse history and culture. Explore its geography, economy, politics, and society, as well as its relations with other provinces and countries.
- Michael D. Behiels
- Old Québec. Stroll North America's oldest streets. Walk along the fortified walls surrounding this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire the view from every angle.
- Montmorency Falls. See a waterfall that’s 30 metres higher than Niagara Falls. Whether you’re riding the gondola, climbing the scenic stairway or crossing the suspension bridge, the views of the Montmorency Falls are simply breathtaking.
- Jacques-Cartier National Park. Explore one of Québec’s most dazzling glacial valleys. Jacques‑Cartier National Park, a vast and mountainous plateau crisscrossed by deep valleys and rivers, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Île d'Orléans. Connect with local artisans on a day trip full of history and flavours. Stop in at the many artisan outlets and farm stands around the island for a delicious sampling of local products and the tastiest shopping you’ve done in years!
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Quebec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and one of the oldest European settlements in North America. It has a historic district with fortified walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a diverse culture and climate.
3 days ago · Quebec, city, port, and capital of Quebec province, Canada. One of the oldest cities in Canada—having celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008—Quebec city has a distinct old-world character and charm. It is the only remaining walled city in North America north of Mexico and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985.
Sep 30, 2007 · Learn about Quebec, the largest province in Canada, with its diverse regions, languages, and cultures. Explore its geography, history, economy, and people, from the St. Lawrence River to the Appalachian mountains.
