One of the most visited places in Canada is Quebec. The city that is so called is located in the province of the same name. Read the article about its history and attractions that can be visited within this place.
Values
Many words have multiple meanings. The same thing happened with the word “Quebec”. The city is only one of two places on the map that have the same name. The province in which the French have lived since ancient times is also known as “Quebec”.
A similar fate befell many geographical names. For example, Moscow is not only Big City-capital Russia, but also a famous river.
Location
Both the province and the city are located in Canada. To be more precise, in the northeastern part of the continent called North America. Interestingly, France occupies an area three times smaller than Quebec.
The province includes regions such as Charlevoix, Laurentide and Estrie. They are home to a huge number of stunningly beautiful lakes and mountains. The valleys and plains near the St. Lawrence River and Lake Saint-Jean attract many tourists with their views.
Where is Quebec City located? On the territory of the province of the same name, which is famous for its landscape. Thus, the fascinating coast of Saguenay and Gaspésie are very popular places that are valued for their peace and comfort.
Provinces
There are a large number of large provinces and colonies. So, one of them is tripled more than France, and this is Quebec. This province lies on an area of one and a half million square kilometers. It borders other similar regions such as New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Ontario. In addition, some American states are also “neighbors” of Quebec. These are Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and Maine.
The province includes a large number of quite major cities. Of course, there are also small ones. However, some settlements are considered the most important. So, here are the cities in the province of Quebec:
- Montreal is the largest population center outside of France where French is spoken.
- Quebec itself is the capital of the province. It is this city that will be discussed in this article.
Of course, these are not all the cities that make up the province of Quebec. In fact, there are many more of them. It's just that Quebec and Montreal are considered the most important for this area, that's all.
Language
The adjective "French", which is often used next to the words "province of Quebec", can be used to understand what language is spoken in this place. Indeed, French is the official language of the province. In general, only Quebec is a city in Canada where the use of this language is enshrined in law. French is used in everyday communication, on television and cinemas, in shops and restaurants.
However, an interesting fact is that the native French do not consider the language spoken by the inhabitants of the province of Quebec to be correct. They are convinced that it was still influenced, due to which some aspects of it were changed. So people from France prefer to stay in Toronto.
Quebec - city
Canada is a country with many history-rich cities. Quebec, translated from the Indian language, means “the place where the river narrows.” This settlement appeared on the map in 1608, not far from the settlement of the Iroquois tribe. Then it turned into the capital French province and came to be considered the cradle of North America.
Story
As was said earlier, Quebec (a photo of the city is presented in the article) appeared in 1608. The development of the settlement proceeded rapidly. So, in 1688, a church called Notre-Dame de Victoire was built here. It is currently known for being the oldest stone church located in North America.
Subsequently, the French began to come here. They built up the city with new houses. It turned out that the territories that belonged to the Indians were given over to the European nation. They were called New France - a colony of the ruler of the state, Louis the Fourteenth. To protect the province, European warriors were sent to its territory, and with them came missionaries who dreamed of converting the Indians to their faith. This is how Christianity came to Quebec.
Despite the fact that the British made attempts to capture the settlement more than once, they succeeded only in 1759. It was then that the French colony turned into a powerful fortress.
What did the city look like before?
Quebec is a city with a rich (by North American standards) history. It has been performing its function for four centuries. Initially it was small, but very quickly thousands of people moved to the settlement and decided to build a “new” France.
Since the inhabitants of the city were often attacked by the British, its upper part is surrounded by a stone wall that can withstand the onslaught of the enemy. Inside, the fortress looked very nice and cozy: small houses nestled close to each other. The streets twisted strongly, leading ordinary townspeople to the majestic castles. Interestingly, Old Quebec is a city included in the list cultural heritage, which was compiled by UNESCO.
Attractions
Many people from all over the world visit Quebec, a city whose attractions are known throughout the world. For example, the altar, made in an ornate Baroque style, was previously used in the Ursuline monastery. Marie de l'Incarnation, a French woman and colonist, founded it. There is still a special Ursuline school operating there. In parallel with this, the monastery with the altar is very popular place in Quebec.
Another famous point on the city map is, of course, the Chateau Frontenac Hotel. It was built at the end of the 19th century not far from the local cathedral. The castle complex includes an alley called Dufferin, from which many people recognize the city of Quebec in photographs.
Canada (a photo of the country on the map is presented in this article) has its own symbols, and the capital of the French province is no exception. One of the most famous emblems of the city is the Chateau Frontenac, which has become an expensive hotel. Tourists can easily recognize it, because this place constantly becomes an object for photography.
Of course, these are not all the attractions of Quebec. However, these are the places that are the most visited by tourists who come here every year.
Cultural program
Any self-respecting tourist should make a list of places he wants to visit in advance. You also need to make notes about those events and festivals in which you want to take part.
This article talks about those attractions and cultural buildings that can be included in your list of places to visit.
- Aquarium. Its area is 16 hectares. It was founded almost fifty years ago, at the same time that a biological center appeared in Quebec. Three hundred species of animals living in the sea are collected here. And there is a zoo nearby.
- Museums. Since Quebec is a city with rich history, there are a large number of museums on its territory. There are so many of them that even three days are not enough to visit them all.
- Parc des Champs de Bataille. This place is used as a venue for open-air concerts, that is, those organized in the open air. In addition, there are many monuments and fountains located here. Even the Quebec Museum is located in this park. And also, by going to the Parc de Champs de Bataille, you can visit the Fields of Abraham - the place where the battle once took place that put an end to French domination over the province of Quebec.
City districts
It’s interesting, but the capital of the province of Quebec is a city, although significant, but small. It is one of the oldest populated areas in North America. This can be understood by the narrow, steep streets and the powerful fortress wall, which is still preserved. The Latin Quarter and Jesuit monasteries also indicate that this city has a long history.
It is divided into two parts - Upper and Lower. They separate new, more modern places from purely medieval buildings. So, in Upper Quebec you can ride on real carts and see horses pulling carts. The historical heart of the city is also concentrated here. Lower Quebec is a place that would be familiar to modern man. The bulk of boutiques, restaurants, shops and cafes are concentrated here.
Movement
In both areas of the city, it is common to get around by bicycle. There is a developed network of bicycle paths here, along which you can easily get to any attraction or get to a quiet and cozy park. This popularity of cycling is due to the fact that the Old Town is almost unsuitable for driving, because its roads are paved with cobblestones, and traffic here is one-way. In narrow streets it is very difficult to find a parking space.
In New, Bas-Quebec it is quite convenient to get around by car. However, people are constantly rushing between the Upper and Lower parts of the city, so changing transport almost every day is not very comfortable. This is why it is common to ride bicycles in New Quebec.
How to get there?
Quebec is not a city where you can fly direct from Russia. However, it can be reached with transfers. They will be made in Paris, Frankfurt am Main, Warsaw or New York (the city, of course, not the state). This journey will take about 17 hours.
Jean Lesange Airport is located 11 kilometers from the city. It was built over ten years, between 1929 and 1939. The first flight was made here in 1941. Since then it has functioned smoothly, and in 2008 it was reconstructed, as a result of which it acquired a new, modern look.
The journey by car from the airport to Quebec takes no more than half an hour, or, to be more precise, 20 minutes. It can also be done by city bus, which regularly brings tourists directly to the city center.
Automobile highways are a link between many major cities that are located near Quebec. For example, from New York or Toronto you can get here in just a quarter of a day, that is, in six hours. There are intercity trains. The local railway station is very unusual, which attracts the attention of many tourists.
In the summer there are ferries that can take everyone to a place called Quebec in seven hours. The city in Canada, the photo of which is presented in the article, is very often visited by tourists, so getting to it is not difficult. You just have to want it!
Quebec is Canada's largest province and the largest French-speaking territory in the world., it stretches from the fertile and densely populated St. Lawrence River valley with forests and tundra to the deserted coast of Hudson Bay. Most of its seven million inhabitants are strongly attached to their language and culture, inherited from their French ancestors.
Quebec's landscapes range from rural valleys with villages along the US border to vast expanses of tundra along the shores of Hudson Bay. The St. Lawrence River flows through the center of Quebec. In the south is the mountainous Gaspé peninsula. The province has two large cities: cosmopolitan Montreal and Quebec, the provincial capital and the only walled city in North America.
The province of Quebec is the pearl of French-speaking Canada, includes worldwide famous cities Montreal and Quebec, the beautiful mountain and lake region of the Laurentides, Estrie and Charlevoix, the plains and magnificent forests of the lower reaches of the St. Lawrence River, the coastal region of Gaspésie, Saguenay, and Lake Saint-Jean, the land of sailors and fishermen - the Madeleine Islands. This province is one of the most visited areas of Canada, attracting tourists with its natural resources, beautiful tourist centers, ski resorts, sandy beaches and protected areas.
Many come to this corner of Canada to visit the center of French culture and language - the city of Quebec, or travel to Montreal - a city that embodies the modern pace of North America and European elegance. It is the center of contemporary art in Canada, with theaters and museums, classical and contemporary music concerts, festivals and exhibitions.
Despite a quarter-century of uncertainty over Quebec's status, it is still part of Canada. In the 60s of the 20th century, the period of the Quiet Revolution began. It was from this moment that the province acquired a distinctly French character.
Thanks to language laws, French becomes dominant; This can be seen from advertising and various signs. And the long-standing dominant position of English as the language of business communication is fading away. However, this does not mean that you need to know French to enjoy your trip to Quebec. Everyone an English-speaking tourist might meet in Quebec will understand him and possibly be able to respond in English. Anglophones have not moved en masse from Montreal to Toronto, despite widespread rumors to the contrary. Although signs and advertisements in the business district are written in French, you can hear both English and French spoken. The English-speaking communities that live in the various agricultural regions of Quebec add a certain charm.
The rural areas of Quebec are one thing, and large cities are another. Hundreds of tourists come to Montreal and Quebec City, and if you visit any of these cities, you will understand why. Montreal is a huge metropolis. This city's past is reflected in its many attractions. Montreal is considered the place with the most attractions in North America. And Quebec has almost no equal even among European cities. There is a beautiful combination of nature and man-made here: a huge cliff above the St. Lawrence River, the Lower City lying at the foot of the cliff, the Upper City with steep-roofed buildings and the huge Citadel.
The people of Quebec really like suburban areas. Although the province has a fairly high level of urbanization, rural regions are of great importance. Montrealers retreat for the weekend to homes in the Laurentian Uplands, the Richelieu River Valley and Eastern regions, Quebecers - to the village or rural area of Charlevoix. Weekend trips are great at any time of year, but especially in winter. Many ski resorts may be crowded, but you can always enjoy skiing in uncharted terrain in complete silence.
The second route you can take to travel around Quebec lies along north coast St. Lawrence River. There are many villages that can only be reached by boat and islands in the bay (Magdalena and Anticosti Islands). A third route takes you north to the James Bay hydroelectric dams. Further north are Inuit and Cree villages. They are beautifully appointed and we recommend visiting them.
There are airports in every major city. Buses serve the entire province, among the main ones are Voyageur Lines, and there are also small regional services. Buses long distance operate from the USA to Montreal. Limocar bus travel serves the Laurentian Upland region, while Autobus Viens serves the eastern part of the province. Railways take place only in southern Quebec.
The province of Quebec embodies a combination of European traditions and American scope. The vast expanses of the country are felt everywhere: in the width of the streets, the size of houses and cars, as well as in the warmth and openness of Quebecers. Put aside your preconceptions and Quebec will happily open its arms to you.
Quebec is a French-speaking province located in the east Canada . Constituting almost a sixth of the country's territory, Quebec is Canada's largest province and second only to Ontario in terms of population. The capital of the province of the same name, Quebec , is the oldest city in Canada. The name Quebec, first given to the city in 1608, comes from the Algonquian language and means "the place where the river narrows." Quebec attracts guests with beautiful views of the majestic St. Lawrence River and the pastoral Isle of Orleans.
The province's main metropolitan area, Montreal, covers the island of Montreal and the island of Jésu to the north, as well as several communities on south coast St. Lawrence River and is the second largest city in Canada.
In the north, Quebec is washed Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay . In the east it borders the province Newfoundland and Labrador . In the southeast it is washed Gulf of St. Lawrence and borders New Brunswick and the American state Maine . In the south it borders with the states New Hampshire, Vermont and New York . In the west it borders Ontario and borders James Bay and Hudson Bay.
Quebec's borders have changed several times since its creation New France in the early 17th century, when the French colonial empire North America expanded to Gulf of Mexico west of the Mississippi River. At that time James Bay, Hudson Bay and the Ungava region belonged to the British Hudson's Bay Companies.
In 1898, the Quebec border was extended north to the river Eastman and east to Labrador . The Ungava district was annexed less than two decades later. Quebec's modern boundaries were established in 1927, when the British Privy Council transferred Labrador to Newfoundland (now the province of Newfoundland and Labrador). Today, Quebec's francophone political leaders continue to challenge the decision but revere the 1927 border.
To understand the concerns and ambitions of Quebec's current citizens, it is necessary to examine the long and turbulent history of the province's French-speaking community. After the British conquest of New France in 1763, French Canadians fought long and hard for survival and the right to be considered one of the founding peoples of Canada, which was not easy under the supremacy of the English-speaking federation.
This became especially noticeable after the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, when French-speaking Quebecers began to perceive themselves as the dominant majority of the population of the province, and their leaders created their own modern secular state to expand their influence in the social, cultural, demographic, political and economic spheres .
Quebec's francophone political and intellectual classes, supported by some English-speaking Canadians from other provinces and territories, advocate further decentralization of the Canadian federal system. Even the names of Quebec language groups have political overtones.
So, in general, the inhabitants of the province are called Quebecers (Quebecers), and the French-speaking residents are called Québécois.
The area of the province is 595,391 square meters. miles (1,542,056 sq. km). Population – 8,215,001 (according to 2017 data).
Quebec climate
Quebec's climate is characterized by extreme weather conditions, and sometimes the weather can be extremely harsh. The Quebec climate is formed under the influence of continental air masses descending from the northwest. These air masses collide with cold Labrador Current, which provides cool summer in the northeastern regions. Moist, hot air rising from the Gulf of Mexico results in intense heat in the summer and heavy snowfall in the winter.
In Kuujjuaq , in the Gulf of Ungava, average temperature ranges from -11°F (-24°C) in January to 52°F (11°C) in July. In the south, in Sherbrooke , thermometer readings range from an average of 14 °F (-10 °C) in January to 68 °F (20 °C) in July. Temperature may vary up to 30°F (17°C) within 24 hours. The snow period lasts on average 12 to 13 weeks on the Montreal Plain and up to 23 weeks north of the St. Lawrence River.
Similar variation exists in the number of frost-free days: Montreal has an average of 140 frost-free days per year, while the far north of the province has less than 80. The Montreal region has a less severe climate. Here there is frequent rainfall and the sun shines, thanks to which greenery grows abundantly.
The focus of our article today will be the city of Quebec (Canada). Photos of this metropolis give the impression of a romantic and very beautiful place. And for good reason. Seventy thousand tourists visit Quebec every year. In this article you will find not only a description of the many attractions of the city. We'll give you a couple useful tips on where to stay, how to get around and what to try in Quebec.
The history of this city is very interesting and full of exciting events. Quebec is the capital of the province of the same name. Although not the largest city in the region. In terms of population, it is three times larger than Montreal with its figure of 1,670,000 people (versus 508,000 in Quebec). Therefore, the metropolitan gloss does not interfere with the intimate, almost homely atmosphere of the “metropolis”. Other cities in the province of Quebec - Laval, Gatineau, Longueuil and others - are very small settlements with a population of one hundred to three hundred thousand inhabitants. The capital plays a huge role in the Canadian economy. It is the fourth most livable city in the country after Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton. It has the lowest unemployment rate. And Quebec is the country's third most important seaport.
How to get there
Quebec is a city lying on the northern shore closer to the mouth. This location gave the city its name. According to one version, the narrowing of the channel in the language of the Algonquin Indians is called kebek. Future city was laid in the place where the river, on the contrary, expands and the mouth turns into an estuary. The province, of which Quebec is the capital, borders four US states (Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Maine) and three Canadian territories (Newfoundland, Ontario and New Brunswick).
Quebec has international Airport them. Jean Lesage, where flights arrive from major cities in the country, as well as from New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Paris. The Quebec air gate is a twenty-minute drive from the center. You can cover this distance by taxi. This pleasure is valued at a fixed amount - thirty-two and a half dollars. City bus No. 78 runs to the airport several times a day. A ticket costs two and a half dollars.
Quebec can also be reached by train from Montreal, Toronto and Windsor. The main bus station is located in the same building as the central train station. Cars from Orleans Express and Interstar arrive there, traveling between different cities in Canada. In summer there is a ferry from Montreal to Quebec. The journey by water will take almost seven hours, but such a journey is already a tourist attraction.
Best time to visit
The province of Quebec is the largest by area in Canada. It occupies four climatic zones: arctic, tundra, temperate continental and marine. In my last breath Atlantic Ocean softens summer heat and winter cold. But where the city of Quebec is located, the climate is temperate continental. This means that winters here are harsh. Minus fifteen is normal for January in Quebec. And in the coldest month - February - the thermometer can drop below forty degrees.
Spring in these places is very short and rainy. A week or two - and the population exchanges warm high boots for sandals. Summers in Quebec are very hot. High humidity (eighty percent) makes the heat unbearable. The most best time to visit the city - the so-called Indian summer. This is September and early October. During this period, which we usually call Indian summer, clear and warm weather sets in in Quebec, quite comfortable for excursions and leisurely walks around the city. This is followed by autumn, the same as spring, short in duration. The first snow usually falls by the end of October. In winter, storms and storms are common, accompanied by heavy snowfalls and blizzards.
Story
One of the oldest European settlements on the North American continent is Quebec (city). Canada was then not a state, but a locality. Its name was translated from Indian languages as “village”. And the province of Quebec occupied a narrow strip along the St. Lawrence River, which was cultivated by the first settlers from France. On the third of July 1608, the city was founded by Samuel de Champlain, who at first wanted to name it Louis, in honor of the king.
Quebec was not built from scratch, but on an abandoned Iroquois settlement called Stadacona. Therefore, when the city became the provincial capital, the idea of returning it to its old historical name was seriously considered. Samuel de Champlain was its manager until his death. Quebec - the capital city of New France - became involved in three major battles. As a result, in 1763, he, along with the entire province, ceded to Great Britain. When the struggle of the States for separation from England began, unrest was also observed in Quebec. The American revolutionaries attacked the British garrison but were defeated. Thus, Quebec and its province showed their will not to be part of the newly formed US state. Now these territories are occupied predominantly by the French-speaking population.
Quebec City: Where to Stay
Quebec City: attractions
The entire old part of this first European settlement on the St. Lawrence River is fully included in the UNESCO list. Most tourists are amazed by the European appearance of this city in the New World. It's like traveling through Lyon or Brussels! Maybe by magic we were transported to “old Europe”? But no, this is Quebec, Canada. Photos of the city show that it has many winding, cobblestone streets, beautiful houses, and ancient castles.
It is recommended to start exploring Quebec from Place Royale. On this square back in 1608, Samuel de Champlain laid the first stone of the city. Next, you should hire a horse-drawn carriage to take you around all the important places in the Old City. Then it would be nice to take the ferry to Levi - not to get to the area on the south bank of the St. Lawrence River, but to take panoramic photos of Quebec from the surface of the water. Well, now you can get acquainted with the sights of the city up close.
You can't miss the changing of the guard of honor at the Citadel. It takes place every day at ten in the morning. Guardsmen in funny fur hats still guard the gates of Saint-Louis and Saint-Jean, leading to Old city. Even if you are not lucky enough to be a guest of the Chateau Frontenac, it is still worth taking the old Quebec funicular railway up to this hotel. And, of course, we must not forget about the main sacred buildings of the city. This is the Basilica of Notre-Dame des Victoires. Until the 60s of the twentieth century, the province of Quebec was under the great influence of the Roman Church. The city has preserved buildings of monasteries of the Jesuits, Ursulines and other orders.
Museums
The nuns left behind a good memory in the hospital for the poor, where they served as nurses. Now the Hotel Dieu has been turned into a museum. Its exhibition is dedicated to the charitable activities of the Augustinians. The Ursuline Museum also testifies to the clerical past of Quebec. The National Gallery of Fine Arts holds in its collections paintings by Canadian and European masters from various periods. This museum is worth a visit, especially since admission is free. The Citadel can also surprise you with its exhibition.
The First Nations Museum reminds us that Quebec City, Canada and other lands were home to indigenous peoples. Its exhibition is designed in the style of the culture of the Aboriginal Indians. There is also the Historical Museum, the Museum of the 400th Anniversary of the City and others. interesting places. It is worth returning to the Royal Square once again to pay closer attention to the huge frescoes on one of the houses.
Events
Every year at the beginning of February, hundreds of sculptors come to Quebec for the winter carnival. Photos of the city appear not only in local but also in international news. Of course - after all, a real palace made of ice is growing on Place Jacques-Cartier in Quebec. All week long, sculptors compete with each other in the skill of carving masterpieces of art from cold, shining blocks. The winter carnival also includes swimming in the snow (and there is traditionally a lot of it in Canada), three parades and canoe races.
Festival d'ete starts in mid-July. It lasts eleven days. But, unlike the winter festival, the summer festival has an entrance fee. To listen to top-notch musicians who have come to Quebec from all over the world, you need to spend forty-five dollars. A ticket in the shape of a badge valid all eleven days. All summer, from Thursday to Sunday, on the streets of Quebec you can take part in the Edwin-Belanger Bandstand Festival. Jazz and blues are heard everywhere these days. On the first weekend of August, the New France festival starts. Overwhelmed by nostalgia, residents dress in They wear ancient costumes from those times and organize parades.At the end of August, an international military band competition is held.
What to try
Don’t think that the cuisine of this part of Canada is a complete copy of the French one. Yes, the city of Quebec (tourist reviews mention this repeatedly) is famous for its cheeses. Thanks to the Canadian climate, local Camembert and Brie have more character. These cheeses are considered the best in all of North America. And, of course, you need to try traditional French pancakes in some creperie. But Quebec can surprise gourmets with its exoticism. At the Old Canadians restaurant you can try amazing dishes from elk, caribou and buffalo. If you come to this establishment before six in the evening, you can order a Canadian-style set lunch for twenty-five dollars.
You should try seafood, huge lobsters and filet mignon that melts in your mouth at Le Continental. Excellent French cuisine will be accompanied by fine wines and a cozy, stylish atmosphere. If you want to taste traditional Canadian dishes, order Quebecois tortier meat pie or cheese fried potatoes with poutine sauce at any restaurant in the city. For oriental exotica, you should go to the Elise Mandarin and Samurai restaurants. At these establishments, a main course will cost about ten dollars.
What to bring
Of course, in terms of shopping, the city of Quebec in Canada is inferior to Toronto with its Guinness Book of underground shopping center"Rath." But it is also full of branded clothing and shoe stores. There will also be profitable purchase electronics and household appliances. But if you want to take home a memory of hospitable Canada, buy delicious maple syrup. It is made only here and nowhere else in the world. A jar of blueberry jam would also be a nice souvenir. Ice wine is another Canadian specialty. The raw materials are collected in winter when they are already thoroughly frozen. The drink turns out tart, sweet and slightly viscous.
Esotericists will be interested in Indian crafts. In particular, “dream catchers” will protect the owner from nightmares. If you're lucky enough to visit Canada at Christmas, buy a bottle of Egg Nog. This drink is made from rum, ale, wine, sugar, spices and eggs. Don't forget that all Canadians are proud of their hockey team. Any paraphernalia associated with this sport is welcome. The symbol of the country is the beaver. Figurines of fur-bearing animals will also remind you of your visit to Canada.
In eastern Canada, the capital of the province of Quebec. Population 668.5 thousand people (2008; in the agglomeration 695.8 thousand people), the 7th most populous city in the country. Located on the left bank of the Saint Lawrence River (near its mouth), at the confluence of the Saint-Charles River, opposite the city of Levi (connected with it ferry crossing). Major transport hub: deep-water port (cargo turnover over 23 million tons, 2006; mainly grain export; largest Canadian container terminal), railroad station, major highways pass through Quebec. International Airport.
On the site of modern Quebec, settlements of Indian hunters and fishermen existed for several millennia.
In 1535, the French navigator J. Cartier discovered here a large (about 1 thousand inhabitants) village of Stadacona (Stadacone), where Iroquois farmers lived, who were replaced by Montagnier hunting tribes between 1543 and 1608. In 1608, the French cartographer S. de Champlain founded the trading settlement of Quebec here, which was occupied by the British in 1629-32. In 1663-1759, Quebec was the capital of the French colony of New France. Since 1674 the residence of the bishop. During the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763, it was besieged by British expeditionary forces, and on September 18, 1759 it passed into the hands of the British. An attempt by the French led by G. de Levi to recapture Quebec in April 1760 failed. By the Treaty of Paris in 1763, Quebec and the entire province finally came under British rule. Since 1763 the capital of the British colony is the Province of Quebec, since 1791 - the colony of Lower Canada, since 1840 - the colony of the Province of Canada. In 1864, a conference of British North American colonies was held in Quebec, which became the founders of the Canadian Confederation. Since 1867, the capital of the province of the same name. Venue of the Quebec Conferences 1943-44.
Old Quebec consists of the Upper and Lower Cities. The upper city is surrounded by a fortress stone wall (length 4.6 km; built from 1690 according to the plans of S. Le Pretre de Vauban; builders from 1693 - engineer J. Boisberteau de Beaucourt, from 1745 - J. Levasseur de Neray; completed at the end of the 18th - early 19th century). The citadel (1820-31) has a polygonal plan in the tradition of Vauban's fortresses (engineer E. Walker Durnford). In the Artillery Park (17-18 centuries), French fortifications (Dauphine Redoubt, 1712) have been preserved. Residential buildings Upper Town bear the stamp of the colonial style of the French period of the 17th-18th century. Among the architectural attractions: Hotel-Dieu - the first hospital in North America (1644; restored after a fire in 1757), the complex of Seminary buildings (1663; now the Museum of French America), the classic Basilica of Notre-Dame de Quebec - the main Catholic cathedral of New France ( 1647, rebuilt in 1748, 1771 and 1922), the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity (1800-04, architects W. Hall and W. Robe), the Jesuit Chapel at the Kent Gate (1817, architect F. Baillarger), the neo-Renaissance building of the Grand Hotel " Chateau Frontenac" (1892-1895, architect B. Price, completed in 1924 and 1993), "Price House" (1929) - the first skyscraper in Quebec. In the Lower Town, the Petit-Champlain quarter has been preserved with narrow (up to 2.5 m) streets and mansions of the 17-18th century (the Chevalier estate, which unites several houses). Near the baroque church of Notre-Dame de Victoire (1688; restored in 1763) on the Place Royale there is the building of the Museum of Civilization (1988, architect M. Safdie), in the construction of which traditional elements of the architecture of Old Quebec are widely used - copper roofs, lucarnes, stairs , tower. In the new part of Quebec, built in the 19th and 20th centuries, there are wide streets and extensive parks. Neo-Renaissance majestic building provincial parliament (1877-88, architect E. E. Tachet, sculptors F. Hebert, A. Laliberte). Cantilever bridge across the St. Lawrence River (1900-17; span 549 m). Monuments to S. de Champlain (1898) and the first bishop of the city F. de Laval (1908, both by sculptor F. Hébert).
Among the scientific institutions are centers: biomedical research (one of the largest in Canada), functional genomics, biotechnology; institutes: public administration, industrial materials, statistics, etc. The University of Laval (1852; traces its history back to the seminary created in 1663; the oldest university in North America with instruction in French), the University of Quebec (1968; one of the largest in Canada; includes a number university centers in other cities). Library of the National Assembly (1802). Archives of the Province of Quebec (1920). Museum of French America (the oldest historical museum in Canada; founded in 1663 by F. de Laval; since 1995 as part of the Museum of Civilization in Quebec), National Museum fine arts(1933). Among other museums: exploration of Canada, Ursulines, chocolate, wax figures, naval. Theaters: “On the Shore” (1976), “Confetti” (1977), “White Theater” (1979), “Periscope” (1985), “Ex Machina” (1990), “First Act” (1994). Dance Company of Quebec Bélanger (2001), Ballet of Quebec (2005). Annually held: the festival “International Crossroads of the Theater” (since 1992), the Film Festival of the Three Americas (from 1999, until 2004 under the name “Images of the New World”), carnival (in winter time; since 1955). Quebec - popular tourist centre(over 6 million tourists annually).
The NHL clubs Quebec Bulldogs (1910-20; Stanley Cup winner 1912, 1913) and Quebec Nordiques (1979-95) were based in Quebec. In 2008, matches of the Ice Hockey World Championship were held. Since 1993, the women's tennis tournament of the WTA Tour series has been held annually.
The city's economy is dominated by the service sector (about 90% of workers are employed, including in trade - 18%, healthcare - 15%, public administration - 15%, education - about 9%, financial sector - about 7%). Quebec City Technopark (research and development in the field of optics, electronics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, information technology, etc.). Light and food industry enterprises; tobacco factory.
In the vicinity of Quebec, on the St. Lawrence River, there is the Island of Orleans: in 6 villages, rural architecture of the 17-18th century of the Norman-Picardian type has been preserved (wooden, stone and brick houses with high through hatches, with attics, sloping roofs made of cedar shingles); Wendake Huron American Indian Reservation with typical residential buildings; neo-Romanesque Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (1923, architects L. N. Audet and M. Roisin).
Lit.: Linteau R. A., Durocher R., Robert J.-S. Histoire du Québec contemporain. Québec, 1994. Vol. 1-2; Noppen L., Morisset L. K. Art et architecture des églises à Québec. Québec, 1996; idem. Québec de roc et de pierres la capitale en architecture. Sainte-Foy; Québec, 1998; Traquair R. The old architecture of Québec: a study of the buildings erected in New France from the earliest explorers to the middle of the nineteenth century. Montreal, 1996.
M. L. Kovalkov (architecture); A. I. Cherkasov (history, economics).
