Gaspé, Quebec

Gaspé
—  City  —
Ville de Gaspé
Coordinates:
Country  Canada
Province  Quebec
Region Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
RCM La Côte-de-Gaspé
Constitution January 1, 1971
Government[1]
 • Mayor François Roussy
 • Federal riding Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine
 • Prov. riding Gaspé
Area[1][2]
 • Total 1,446.95 km2 (558.7 sq mi)
 • Land 1,120.62 km2 (432.7 sq mi)
Elevation[3] 34.10 m (112 ft)
Population (2006)[2]
 • Total 14,819
 • Density 13.2/km2 (34.2/sq mi)
Time zone EST (UTC−5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC−4)
Postal code G4X
Area code(s) 418, 581
Website www.ville.gaspe.qc.ca

Gaspé is a city at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region of eastern Quebec, Canada. As of the 2006 census, the city had a total population of 14,819.[2]

In addition to Gaspé itself, the city's territory also includes the communities of Cap-aux-Os, Cap-des-Rosiers, Douglastown, Haldimand, Jersey Cove, L'Anse-à-Fugère, L'Anse-à-Valleau, L'Anse-au-Griffon, Penouille, Petit-Cap, Petite-Rivière-au-Renard, Pointe-Jaune, Rivière-au-Renard, Rivière-Morris, Sandy Beach, Saint-Majorique, Saint-Maurice-de-l'Échouerie, Wakeham, and York Centre.

Gaspé is where Jacques Cartier took possession of Nouvelle-France (now Canada) in the name of Francois I of France on July 24, 1534.

Contents

Etymology

The most common assumption is that "Gaspé" may come from the Mi'kmaq word Gespeg which means "Land's end". However, other theories hold that the name may be a mutation of the Basque word geizpe or kerizpe which means "shelter" or "place of refuge". Another theory is that it is named after Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte-Real, who explored the Labrador in 1500.[4]

In 1600, Englishman Richard Hakluyt used the name Gaspay in his translation of Cosmosgraphie by Jean Alfonse, which became the common spelling in the early 17th century. Thereafter, many other spellings appeared such as Gachepé, Gachepay, Gaschepay, Gaspey, Gaspèche, and Gapèche.[4]

History

Gaspé claims the title of "Cradle of French-Canada", because on July 24, 1534, Jacques Cartier halted in the bay after losing an anchor during a storm and officially took possession of the area by planting a wooden cross with the king's coat of arms and the sentence Vive le Roi de France (meaning "Long live the King of France"). Cartier met there an indigenous tribe that referred to the territory as Honguedo, probably a Mi'kmaq word meaning "meeting place".[4]

Following the Treaty of Paris in 1763, British officers and soldiers acquired free land in Gaspé. And in 1784, they were joined by many Loyalist settlers. From then on, Gaspé became an important commercial fishing centre, especially of cod. In 1804, its post office opened.[5]

Gaspé was first incorporated as a village municipality in 1855.[4] From 1861 to 1866, the port of Gaspé was a duty-free port, making shipping the primary economic activity. With some 40 to 50 European ships docking annually, many countries opened consulates in Gaspé, including Italy, United States, Brasil, Portugal, and Norway. By 1911, the railroad reached Gaspé. But the town's ambition to become an international shipping and transportation hub ended with the growing importance of the Montreal and Halifax harbours.[5]

During World War II, some 3000 soldier were stationed at a naval base built at Sandy Beach, in order to patrol the Gulf of Saint Lawrence against German submarines.[5]

In 1959, Gaspé gained city status. In 1971, the city was greatly expanded when it amalgamated these 11 surrounding municipalities (with year of original incorporation):

In subsequent years, the city's area was further expanded by absorbing large tracks of adjacent unorganized territory.[4]

Economy

The regional hospital is the main employer in the city. Tourism is a very important part of the city and the region's economy. Thousands flock to the city every summer to enjoy the environment and the surrounding attractions, such as Forillon National Park that is fully within the city's boundaries.

Transportation

Gaspé is accessible by automobile via Quebec Route 132, Via Rail's Montreal – Gaspé train, and the Gaspé Airport.

Climate

Climate data for Gaspé Airport
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Humidex 11.5 13.5 16.9 28.8 33.6 42.3 43.1 43.9 40.4 27.9 24.8 13.4 43.9
Record high °C (°F) 10.9
(51.6)		 13.7
(56.7)		 18.2
(64.8)		 27.5
(81.5)		 30
(86)		 33.9
(93.0)		 34.8
(94.6)		 34.1
(93.4)		 33.2
(91.8)		 25
(77)		 22.2
(72.0)		 13.3
(55.9)		 34.8
(94.6)
Average high °C (°F) −6
(21)		 −4.7
(23.5)		 0.5
(32.9)		 6
(43)		 13.8
(56.8)		 19.9
(67.8)		 23
(73)		 22.3
(72.1)		 17.3
(63.1)		 10.4
(50.7)		 3.5
(38.3)		 −2.8
(27.0)		 8.6
(47.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) −11.9
(10.6)		 −10.8
(12.6)		 −5
(23)		 1.4
(34.5)		 7.6
(45.7)		 13.2
(55.8)		 16.6
(61.9)		 15.9
(60.6)		 11.1
(52.0)		 5.2
(41.4)		 −0.6
(30.9)		 −7.6
(18.3)		 2.9
(37.2)
Average low °C (°F) −17.6
(0.3)		 −16.7
(1.9)		 −10.4
(13.3)		 −3.3
(26.1)		 1.3
(34.3)		 6.4
(43.5)		 10.2
(50.4)		 9.4
(48.9)		 4.9
(40.8)		 0
(32)		 −4.6
(23.7)		 −12.3
(9.9)		 −2.7
(27.1)
Record low °C (°F) −35.5
(−31.9)		 −32
(−26)		 −29.2
(−20.6)		 −20.1
(−4.2)		 −11.7
(10.9)		 −3.9
(25.0)		 1.7
(35.1)		 −1.9
(28.6)		 −5
(23)		 −11.8
(10.8)		 −21.1
(−6.0)		 −32.2
(−26.0)		 −35.5
(−31.9)
Wind chill −47.2 −46 −37.7 −27.9 −14.3 −4.6 1.1 −1.5 −7.1 −14.5 −28.7 −40.2 −47.2
Precipitation mm (inches) 89.8
(3.535)		 59
(2.32)		 104.4
(4.11)		 103.8
(4.087)		 90.8
(3.575)		 73.4
(2.89)		 107.7
(4.24)		 91.2
(3.591)		 70
(2.76)		 111.3
(4.382)		 102.9
(4.051)		 112.8
(4.441)		 1,117.1
(43.98)
Rainfall mm (inches) 21
(0.83)		 8.4
(0.331)		 27.9
(1.098)		 58.7
(2.311)		 85.5
(3.366)		 73.4
(2.89)		 107.7
(4.24)		 91.2
(3.591)		 70
(2.76)		 105.2
(4.142)		 66.1
(2.602)		 37.2
(1.465)		 752.2
(29.614)
Snowfall cm (inches) 76.8
(30.24)		 56.1
(22.09)		 75.7
(29.8)		 42.6
(16.77)		 4.9
(1.93)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 4.9
(1.93)		 38
(15)		 81.1
(31.93)		 380
(149.6)
Source: Environment Canada[3]

Demographics

Canada census – Gaspé, Quebec Community Profile
  2006 2001  

Population:
Land area:
Population density:
Median age:
Total private dwellings:
Mean household income:

14,819 (-0.8% from 2001)
1,120.62 km2 (432.67 sq mi)
13.2 /km2 (34 /sq mi)
45.2 (males: 44.7, females: 45.6)
6428
$44,266

14,932 (-9.6% from 1996)
1,120.63 km2 (432.68 sq mi)
13.3 /km2 (34 /sq mi)
41.9 (males: 41.4, females: 42.4)
6280
$39,216
References: 2006[6] 2001[7]

Mother tongue:[2]

Population trend:[8]

International relationships

Gaspé is twinned with:

References

  1. ^ a b "Gaspé" (in French). Répertoire des municipalités. Ministère des Affaires Municipales, Régions et Occupation du territoire. http://www.mamrot.gouv.qc.ca/repertoire-des-municipalites/fiche/municipalite/03005/. Retrieved 2011-12-02. 
  2. ^ a b c d "Gaspé community profile". 2006 Census data. Statistics Canada. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=2403005&Geo2=PR&Code2=24&Data=Count&SearchText=Gaspe&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=. Retrieved 2011-12-02. 
  3. ^ a b Environment Canada - Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 2 December 2011
  4. ^ a b c d e "Gaspé (ville)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=24671. Retrieved 2011-12-02. 
  5. ^ a b c "À propos de Gaspé" (in French). Ville de Gaspé. http://ville.gaspe.qc.ca/?id=15&titre=a_propos_de_Gaspe&em=48. Retrieved 2011-12-05. 
  6. ^ "2006 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. Government of Canada. 2009-02-24. http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/index.cfm?Lang=E. Retrieved 2011-12-02. 
  7. ^ "2001 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. Government of Canada. 2007-02-01. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Index.cfm?Lang=E. Retrieved 2011-12-02. 
  8. ^ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006 census

External links

Honguedo Strait (Gulf of Saint Lawrence)
Rivière-Saint-Jean Gulf of Saint Lawrence
   Gaspé    
Mont-Alexandre Percé
 Administrative divisions of Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine  (Region 11)
Regional county municipalities
and equivalent territories
Municipalities