Trois-Rivières

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Coordinates: 46°21′N 72°33′W / 46.35°N 72.55°W / 46.35; -72.55

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Trois-Rivières
Ville de Trois-Rivières
Downtown Trois-Rivières.
File:Logo de la ville de Trois-Rivieres.JPG
Seal
Coat of arms
Trois-Rivières is located in Quebec
Trois-Rivières
Location in Quebec, Canada
Coordinates: 46°21′N 72°33′W / 46.35°N 72.55°W / 46.35; -72.55
Country Canada Canada
Province  Quebec
Region Mauricie
Founded 1634
Amalgamated January 1, 2002
Government
 - Mayor Yves Lévesque
(2001–2009)
 - Governing Body Trois-Rivières City Council
 - MPs Paule Brunelle
 - MNAs Danielle St-Amand
Area
 - City 288.92 km2 (111.6 sq mi)
 - Urban 176.92 km2 (68.3 sq mi)
 - Metro 880.36 km2 (339.9 sq mi)
Elevation 61 m (200 ft)
Population (2006)[1]
 - City 129,100
 - Density 437.2/km2 (1,132.3/sq mi)
 - Urban 121,666
 - Urban Density 684.8/km2 (1,773.6/sq mi)
 - Metro 141,529
 - Metro Density 160.8/km2 (416.5/sq mi)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Postal code span G8(T,V-W,Y-Z), G9(A-C)
Area code(s) 819
Access Routes[2]
A-40
A-755 ( A-40 )
A-55
Route 138
Route 153
Route 155
Route 157
Route 352
Route 359
Website Ville de Trois-Rivières

Trois-Rivières is a city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada, located along the densely populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor at the confluence of the Saint-Maurice and Saint Lawrence Rivers. It was founded in 1634, the second permanent settlement in New France. The current city was created in 2002 from the merging of six towns : Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Pointe-du-Lac, Sainte-Marthe-du-Cap, Saint-Louis-de-France, Trois-Rivières and Trois-Rivières-Ouest.

The city is named for the fact that the Saint-Maurice River, which is divided by two small islands at the river's opening, has three mouths at the St. Lawrence. The city's logo also illustrates this.

Trois-Rivières is also the name of a territory equivalent to a regional county municipality (TE) of Quebec, coextensive with the city of Trois-Rivières. Its geographical code is 371.

Together with the regional county municipality of Les Chenaux, it forms the census division (CD) of Francheville (37). The municipalities within Les Chenaux and the former municipalities that were amalgamated into Trois-Rivières formerly constituted the regional county municipality of Francheville.

Contents

[edit] Description

Trois-Rivières is the economic and cultural hub of the Mauricie region. It lies at the halfway point between Montreal and Quebec City, on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River across from the city of Bécancour. It was founded on July 4, 1634, the second permanent settlement in New France,[3] after Quebec city in 1608. Its location at the three-pronged mouth of the Saint-Maurice River is the source of its name, which is French for three rivers. Traditionally, Trois-Rivières was referred to in English as Three Rivers, although in more recent decades it has been referred to as Trois-Rivières in both English and French. The anglicized name still appears in many areas of the town (e.g., the city's Three Rivers Academy), bearing witness to the influence of English settlers in the town. The city's inhabitants are known as "Trifluviens" (Trifluvians).

The city's main street is Boulevard des Forges, an area several blocks long in the heart of the Old City composed of century-old buildings housing a great variety of cafés, restaurants, clubs, bars, and shops. In the warmer months, the area is regularly closed to vehicular traffic to accommodate various festivals and events, turning the downtown core into a pedestrian mall. Trois-Rivières is officially the "National Poetry Capital of Quebec"; numerous plaques displaying poetic verses are installed across the centre of the city, and its International Festival of Poetry (held each year in the first week of October) honours this title.

Trois-Rivières has an internationally known racetrack named Circuit Trois-Rivières. The track hosts American Le Mans Series, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, and the Formula Atlantic events.[4] Notable landmarks include the Forges du Saint-Maurice, a foundry dating back to the 1730s, the Ursulines Monastery, and Notre-Dame-du-Cap Basilica.

On January 1, 2002, the former city of Trois-Rivières along with the neighbouring towns of Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Sainte-Marthe-du-Cap, Saint-Louis-de-France, Trois-Rivières-Ouest, and the municipality of Pointe-du-Lac, were amalgamated to form the new city of Trois-Rivières. The Trois-Rivières metropolitan area also includes the city of Bécancour.

[edit] History

The Sieur of Laviolette, founder of Trois-Rivières. The Laviolette Bridge is his namesake.

For a long time, the area that would later become known as Trois-Rivières was frequented by Algonquins who used it as a summer stopping place. The French explorer Jacques Cartier described the site while on his second journey to the New World in 1535. The name "Trois-Rivières", however, was only given in 1599, by Captain Dupont-Gravé, and first appeared on maps of the area in 1601[5].

In 1603, while surveying the Saint-Lawrence River, Samuel de Champlain recommended establishing a permanent settlement in the area, which was finally done on July 4, 1634 by the Sieur of Laviolette. Additional of the original city of Trois-Rivières include: Pierre Boucher, Jacques Le Neuf, Jean Godefroy de Lintot, Michel Le Neuf du Hérisson, François Hertel, Quentin Moral, Sieur de St. Quentin, François, Marguerie, René Robineau, and Jean Sauvaget.[6] The city was second to be founded in New France (after Quebec City, before Montreal) and played an important role in the colony and in the fur trade, thanks to its strategic location. The settlement became the seat of a regional government in 1665. Ursuline nuns first arrived at the settlement in 1697, establishing the first school and helping local missionnaries to Christianize the local Aboriginals and Métis.

French sovereignty in Trois-Rivières continued until 1760, when the city was captured as part of the British conquest of Québec. Sixteen years later, on June 8, 1776, it was the theatre of the Battle of Trois-Rivières (part of the ill-fated Invasion of the province of Québec by Americans from the Boston area—les Bostonnais) during the American Revolutionary War.

The front of the Ursulines Monastery, on rue des Ursulines.

Trois-Rivières continued to grow in stature throughout the period and beyond; in 1792 it became the seat of a judicial district, and that of a Roman Catholic diocese in 1852.

The greater part of the city of Trois-Rivières was destroyed by a fire in 1908. The majority of the city's original buildings, many of which dated back to French colonial years, were destroyed. Only a few were spared, including the Ursuline Monastery and the De Tonnancour Manor. As a result of the destruction, a major redesign and renovation of the city was undertaken, including the widening and renewal of many of the city's roads. As well, many new businesses and industries became established in the town, which attracted many new residents.

In the 1960s, Trois-Rivières undertook a large-scale project of economic diversification, including the establishment of several cultural institutions and attractions. The Old City of Trois-Rivières was declared an "historic sector" in 1964. The Laviolette Bridge, linking Trois-Rivières to Bécancour and the south shore of the Saint-Lawrence River, was inaugurated on December 20, 1967. Finally, in 1969, the city appeared on Canada's academic map with the inception of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, known for its chiropractic school, its podiatric medical education and its excellent programs for primary and secondary school education.

Although historically an important center of commerce, trade and population, Trois-Rivières has relinquished much of its earlier importance to the two major cities of Quebec, the metropolis of Montreal and capital of Quebec City. It does, however, remain one of the principal medium-sized cities of Quebec, along with Saguenay, Sherbrooke and Gatineau.

[edit] Climate

Weather data for Trois-Rivières
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13
(55)		 10
(50)		 17
(63)		 31.5
(89)		 32.2
(90)		 34.5
(94)		 34
(93)		 36.1
(97)		 30.5
(87)		 27.2
(81)		 20
(68)		 12.5
(55)
Average high °C (°F) -7.3
(19)		 -4.6
(24)		 1.4
(35)		 9.9
(50)		 18.6
(65)		 23.2
(74)		 25.5
(78)		 24.1
(75)		 18.3
(65)		 11.5
(53)		 3.8
(39)		 -3.8
(25)		 10.1
(50)
Average low °C (°F) -17.6
(0)		 -15.4
(4)		 -8.8
(16)		 -0.5
(31)		 6.2
(43)		 11.5
(53)		 14.1
(57)		 13
(55)		 7.9
(46)		 2.2
(36)		 -3.8
(25)		 -12.8
(9)		 -0.3
(31)
Record low °C (°F) -41.1
(-42)		 -35.6
(-32)		 -35
(-31)		 -17.2
(1)		 -6.1
(21)		 -1.5
(29)		 3.5
(38)		 1.1
(34)		 -7.2
(19)		 -10.6
(13)		 -25.6
(-14)		 -35.5
(-32)
Precipitation mm (inches) 85.6
(3.37)		 59.8
(2.35)		 74.9
(2.95)		 80.2
(3.16)		 92.3
(3.63)		 101.3
(3.99)		 108.6
(4.28)		 107.7
(4.24)		 104.7
(4.12)		 94
(3.7)		 101.6
(4)		 89.1
(3.51)		 1,099.8
(43.3)
Source: Environment Canada[7] 2009-07-24

[edit] Economy

Trois-Rivières is Canada's oldest industrial city, with its first foundry established in 1738.[8] The forge produced iron and cast for 150 years, much of it being shipped to France to be used in Royal Navy ships.[9] The first port facility was built in 1818 near rue Saint-Antoine, and today handles 2.5 million tonnes of cargo annually.[10] The first railway was built in 1879 to support the growing lumber industry.[11]

The city was known as the pulp and paper industry capital of the world from the late 1920s until the early 1960s.[12] The city once had four mills in operation. Today, there are two mills left operating (Kruger Trois-Rivières and Kruger Wayagamack), the closures largely due to decline in newsprint demand and globalization. The closures were not just limited to the pulp and paper industry; Trois-Rivières experienced an industrial decline in the 1980s and 1990s, with unemployment rising to 14 percent in the 1990s.[13]

Trois-Rivières is attempting an industrial revitalization by establishing technology parks and taking advantage of its central location to both Montréal and Québec City, its university and port. An example of the new economy is Marmen Incorporated, which manufactures wind turbine towers and employs 1,000 people between its operations in Trois-Rivières and Matane.

The city's other prominent industries include metal transformation, electronics, thermoplastics, as well as the production of food crops and cabinet making. An industrial park adjoining Trois-Rivières Airport also serves as a major centre for the aeronautical industry.

[edit] Culture

Trois-Rivières hosts the FestiVoix de Trois-Rivières, a 10-day summer music festival which attracts in excess of 300,000 visitors annually.[14] The city also hosts the Festival International de la Poésie, an international poetry festival as well as the Festival International Danse Encore[15]. In 2009, Trois-Rivières was designated as the 2009 Cultural Capital of Canada for cities with a population of 125,000 or more.[16]

[edit] Demographics

Prior to amalgamation in 2001, the new city of Trois-Rivières was divided among six municipalities.

Municipal population, pre-amalgamation (December 14, 2000)[17]

Municipality Population
Trois-Rivières 48 285
Cap-de-la-Madeleine 32 927
Trois-Rivières-Ouest 24 170
Saint-Louis-de-France 7 798
Pointe-du-Lac 6 846
Sainte-Marthe-du-Cap 6 428
Total 126 454

Ethnic origin (Trois-Rivières Metro Area (2001))[18]

Ethnic Origin Population Percent
Canadian 112,300 83.40%
French 44,075 32.73%
Irish 3,030 2.25%
African Canadian 1,645 1.22%
Asian 1,620 1.20%
English 1,380 1.02%

Age Structure

  • 0–14 years: 16.1%
  • 15–64 years: 68.6%
  • 65 years and over: 15.3%

Religious Groups

[edit] Media

Main article: Media in Trois-Rivières

[edit] Notables

[edit] Sister city

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Statistics Canada (January 12, 2008). "Trois-Rivières- 2006 Community Profiles". http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=2437067&Geo2=PR&Code2=24&Data=Count&SearchText=Trois-Rivi%E8res&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=. Retrieved 2008-01-13. 
  2. ^ Official Transport Quebec Road Map
  3. ^ Roy-Sole, Monique. "A Tale of Tenacity", Canadian Geographic Magazine, April 2009, Vol. 129, No. 2, p. 31
  4. ^ Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières
  5. ^ untitled
  6. ^ Report Concerning the Archives of Canada for the year 1905. Vol I. of III., p. li.
  7. ^ Environment Canada Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 24 July 2009
  8. ^ "Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site of Canada". Parks Canada. http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/saintmaurice/index_e.asp. Retrieved 2009-03-27. 
  9. ^ Roy-Sole, Monique. "A Tale of Tenacity", Canadian Geographic Magazine, April 2009, Vol. 129, No. 2, p. 32
  10. ^ "Le Port de Trois-Rivières". http://www.porttr.com/en/?faq.html#6. Retrieved 2009-03-27. 
  11. ^ Roy-Sole, Monique. "A Tale of Tenacity", Canadian Geographic Magazine, April 2009, Vol. 129, No. 2, p. 35
  12. ^ Roy-Sole, Monique. "A Tale of Tenacity", Canadian Geographic Magazine, April 2009, Vol. 129, No. 2, p. 36
  13. ^ Roy-Sole, Monique. "A Tale of Tenacity", Canadian Geographic Magazine, April 2009, Vol. 129, No. 2, p. 37
  14. ^ "Le FestiVoix de Trois-Rivières". http://www.festivoix.com. Retrieved 2009-04-03. 
  15. ^ http://www.festival-encore.com
  16. ^ Roy-Sole, Monique. "A Tale of Tenacity", Canadian Geographic Magazine, April 2009, Vol. 129, No. 2, p. 38
  17. ^ Ville de Trois-Rivières
  18. ^ The information regarding ethnicities is from the 2001 Canadian Census. The percentages add to more than 100% because of dual responses (e.g. "French-Canadian" generates an entry in both the category "French" and the category "Canadian".) Groups with greater than 1,250 responses are included.

[edit] External links

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Quebec Administrative divisions of Mauricie  (Region 04)
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Census metropolitan areas (CMAs) in Canada by size

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