Centre-du-Québec
| Centre-du-Québec | |
|---|---|
| — Region — | |
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Quebec |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6,928.78 km2 (2,675.22 sq mi) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 224,200 |
| • Density | 32.4/km2 (84/sq mi) |
| Website | www.centreduquebec.gouv.qc.ca |
Centre-du-Québec (French pronunciation: [sɑ̃tʁ dy kebɛk], Central Quebec) is a region of Quebec, Canada. The main centres are Drummondville, Victoriaville and Bécancour. It has a land area of 6,928.78 km² (2,675.22 sq mi) and a 2006 census population of 224,200 inhabitants.
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[edit] Description
The Centre-du-Québec region was established as an independent administrative region of Quebec on July 30, 1997; prior to this date, it formed the southern portion of the Mauricie-Bois-Francs region (the northern part of which is now known simply as Mauricie).
Contrary to its name, Centre-du-Québec is not located in the centre of Quebec, but in the south. Some consider the name Bois-Francs to be synonymous with the Centre-du-Québec region; others see it as being synonymous with Arthabaska RCM, with its main city Victoriaville earning the title Capitale des Bois-Francs (capital of the Bois-Francs).
The Centre-du-Québec is a primarily agricultural region known as the breadbasket of Quebec; major products include livestock and poultry, dairy products, as well as food crops such as cereals, vegetables, and fruits such as apples and cranberries. Forestry is also a major industry; the name "Bois-Francs" refers to the French term for hardwood, referring to the high density of hardwood forests in the area. Other major industries of the area include transportation, recycling, woodworking and cabinetmaking.
The Centre-du-Québec region derives great benefit from its central location; major centres such as Montreal and Quebec City are within an hour and a half's drive, while secondary centres such as Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières are close at hand.
[edit] Subdivisions
[edit] Regional County Municipalities
- Arthabaska Regional County Municipality, Quebec
- Bécancour Regional County Municipality, Quebec
- Drummond Regional County Municipality, Quebec
- L'Érable Regional County Municipality, Quebec
- Nicolet-Yamaska Regional County Municipality, Quebec
[edit] Native Reserves
The Centre-du-Québec region is home to several thousand members of the Wabanaki Nation. They are scattered throughout the region, with two major population centres:
[edit] Major communities
[edit] Highways
Main highways in the region include:
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- (French) Centre-du-Québec official website
- (French) Centre-du-Québec government portal
- Centre-du-Québec tourist site
- (French) Toile Jeunesse, a regional youth-oriented portal
- Map of the Centre-du-Québec regionPDF (2.12 MiB)
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Coordinates: 46°16′54.5″N 72°4′22.9″W / 46.281806°N 72.073028°W
