Caraquet, New Brunswick

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"Caraquet" redirects here. For the electoral district, see Caraquet (electoral district).

Caraquet is a town in northern New Brunswick, Canada, on the Baie des Chaleurs. As of 2001 the population was 4,442.

The name comes from the Micmac term for meeting of two rivers. The Caraquet River and Riviere du Nord flow into the Baie des Chaleurs west of the town.

Caraquet was first settled in 1757 after Acadians, led by Alexis Landry, moved there after being expelled from southern New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in the Expulsion of the Acadians. The original townsite is now called Sainte-Anne-du-Bocage. Land was officially granted for the town in 1774.

The town still calls itself the unofficial capital of Acadie, and as such hosts the annual Acadian Festival each August.

Caraquet's economy is primarily marine resource-based, with a fishing wharf and seaport. Several beaches and other tourist attractions, such as the Village Historique Acadien, are also located in the area.

New Brunswick's only daily francophone newspaper, L'Acadie Nouvelle, is published in Caraquet.

[edit] External links

• Town of Caraquet