Matapédia, Quebec

Matapédia
Municipality

Confluence of Matapédia and Restigouche Rivers

Location within Avignon RCM.
Matapédia

Location in eastern Quebec.

Coordinates: 47°58′N 66°57′W / 47.967°N 66.950°W / 47.967; -66.950Coordinates: 47°58′N 66°57′W / 47.967°N 66.950°W / 47.967; -66.950[1]
Country  Canada
Province  Quebec
Region Gaspésie–
Îles-de-la-Madeleine
RCM Avignon
Settled 1808
Constituted November 4, 1905
Government[2]
  Mayor Luc Lagacé
  Federal riding Gaspésie—
Îles-de-la-Madeleine
  Prov. riding Bonaventure
Area[2][3]
  Total 72.10 km2 (27.84 sq mi)
  Land 72.49 km2 (27.99 sq mi)
  There is an apparent
contradiction between two
authoritative sources
Population (2011)[3]
  Total 664
  Density 9.2/km2 (24/sq mi)
  Pop 2006-2011 Decrease 4.6%
  Dwellings 360
Time zone EST (UTC−5)
  Summer (DST) EDT (UTC−4)
Postal code(s) G0J 1V0
Area code(s) 418 and 581
Highways Route 132

Matapédia (former name: Saint-Laurent-de-Matapédia) is a village at the southern tip of the Gaspé peninsula, in Eastern Quebec, Canada. Matapedia is located along Quebec Route 132 on the border of New Brunswick.

In addition to Matapédia itself, the municipality also includes the communities of Mann Settlement and Runnymede.

History

Its name comes from the Mi'kmaq word matapegiag, meaning "river junction", from the parts mata (junction) and pegiag (river), referring to the Matapédia River that crosses the town just before its confluence with the Restigouche River. It has also been spelled over time as Matapediach, Matapeguia, Matapediac, Matakpediack, Madapeguia, or Matapediac.[1]

In 1808, colonization began with the arrival of Loyalists, followed by Irish settlers in 1850, Acadians in 1860, and French Canadians in 1865.[1]

In 1842, the geographic township was formed, named after the Matapédia River. In 1860, a mission is established, and in 1864, the Matapedia Post Office opened. On November 4, 1905, the place was incorporated as the Parish Municipality of Saint-Laurent-de-Matapédia, named after the local parish and township. But since 1973, it has been officially known by its abbreviated name Matapédia.[1]

On February 27, 2010, the status of the parish municipality was changed to just municipality.[1]

Present day

The village has one general store and a designated Heritage Railway Station. The economy is mainly focused on the local geography with activities such as salmon fishing, hunting and tourism. For many years the town contained a baseball field, however in recent times it has been transformed into a soccer field. Although Matapedia contains a CLSC, the closest hospital is on the New Brunswick side: the Restigouche Hospital Centre on Salmon Boulevard. The town also contains a belvedere facing the main part of town.

Demographics

Population

Historical Census Data - Matapédia, Quebec[7]
YearPop.±%
1991 786    
1996 749−4.7%
YearPop.±%
2001 707−5.6%
2006 696−1.6%
YearPop.±%
2011 664−4.6%

Language

Mother tongue:[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Matapédia (Municipalité)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  2. 1 2 "Matapédia". Répertoire des municipalités (in French). Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
  3. 1 2 "Matapédia census profile". 2011 Census data. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
  4. "2011 Community Profiles". Canada 2011 Census. Statistics Canada. July 5, 2013. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
  5. "2006 Community Profiles". Canada 2006 Census. Statistics Canada. March 30, 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
  6. "2001 Community Profiles". Canada 2001 Census. Statistics Canada. February 17, 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
  7. Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 census
  8. "Matapédia community profile". 2006 Census data. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2012-01-11.



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