Saint-Pierre, Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint-Pierre

Aerial view of Saint-Pierre
Coordinates: 46°46′40″N 56°10′40″W / 46.7778°N 56.1778°W / 46.7778; -56.1778Coordinates: 46°46′40″N 56°10′40″W / 46.7778°N 56.1778°W / 46.7778; -56.1778
Country France
Overseas collectivity Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Government
 • Mayor (2014-2020) Karine Claireaux (PS)
Area 25 km2 (10 sq mi)
Population (July 2011)1 5,888
 • Density 240/km2 (610/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 97502 / 97500
Elevation 0–207 m (0–679 ft)
1 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Saint-Pierre is the capital of the French overseas collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada. Saint-Pierre is the more populated of the two communes (municipalities) making up Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

Geography

The commune of Saint-Pierre is made up of the island of Saint-Pierre proper and several nearby smaller islands, such as L'Île-aux-Marins. Although containing nearly 90% of the inhabitants of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the commune of Saint-Pierre is considerably smaller than the commune of Miquelon-Langlade, which lies to its northwest.

The main settlement and communal seat is situated on the north side of a harbour called Barachois, which faces the Atlantic Ocean, on the Saint-Pierre Island's east coast. The mouth of the harbour is guarded by a small chain of islands.

History

Until 1945, there existed a third commune in Saint Pierre and Miquelon: L'Île-aux-Marins. The commune of L'Île-aux-Marins was annexed by the commune of Saint-Pierre in 1945.

Demographics

Population of Saint-Pierre at the 2006 local census was 5,888,[1] many of whom are of Basque, Breton, Normand or Acadian descent. All inhabitants in the commune (municipality) live on the island of Saint-Pierre proper.

Government

The commune is led by a mayor and a council.

Saint-Pierre under snow.
Saint-Pierre on a cloudy day.

Landmarks

Close to the centre of the harbour's edge lie the Post office and Custom House, behind which is General Charles de Gaulle Square, the town's centre.

Other prominent landmarks in Saint-Pierre include the cathedral, to the north of the square, rebuilt in the early twentieth century after a major fire, and the Pointe aux Canons Lighthouse, at the mouth of the harbour. Further north, close to the town's former hospital, is the Fronton Zazpiak Bat - an arena for the traditional Basque sport of pelota.

Transportation

Saint-Pierre Airport, the international airport of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, is located south of the settlement of Saint-Pierre and is served by Air Saint-Pierre with flights both to Miquelon Airport and five Canadian airports.

Radio and television

Twin towns – Sister cities

Saint-Pierre is twinned with:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Insee - Bases de donnees - Les resultats des recensements de la population
  2. ↑ Jumelages

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint-Pierre.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Saint-Pierre.
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