Madawaska County, New Brunswick

Madawaska County (2006 population 34,071), also known as the "New Brunswick Panhandle", is located in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada. Over 90% of the county's population speaks French. Its Francophone population are known as "Brayons." Forestry is the major industry in the county.

History

The first inhabitants of what is now called Madawaska County, were the Maliseet or Wolastoqiyik, who occupied and used the land along the St. John River Valley north to the St. Lawrence River and south to the Penobscot River. There is debate concerning the true origin of the word "Madawaska". The earliest European settlers were from Quebec. The area was the focus of the bloodless Aroostook War, a border dispute led by businessman and political activist John Baker.

The earliest settlers of the Upper St. John River Valley can be clearly verified with http://www.upperstjohn.com/visits/Saint-Vallier1686.htm and http://www.upperstjohn.com/1820/madawaska.htm

The second link displays census results taken in 1820 of the Madawaska region where most families had originated from Quebec.

Census subdivisions

Communities

There are ten incorporated municipalities within Madawaska County (listed by 2006 population counts and national census rankings):^[1][2]

Parishes

The county is subdivided into fourteen parishes (listed by 2006 population counts and national census rankings):^[1][2]

First Nations

There is one First Nations reservation in Madawaska County (listed by 2006 population counts and national census rankings):^[1][2]

Demographics

See also

• Republic of Madawaska
• Brayon
• List of communities in New Brunswick

References

External links

• Madawaska County Guide
• http://www.transmission.bpa.gov/cigresc14/Compendium/MADAWAS.htm
• http://www.transmission.bpa.gov/cigresc14/Compendium/Madawas%20Pictures.pdf