Portrait of Québec


"Unique" is a great word to describe Quebec. The province is in a class of its own, with its immense territory and distinctive personality, thanks to its majority French-speaking, multicultural population. Welcome to Quebec, the largest Canadian province and the only one where French is the population’s first language!
Quebec is home to over 7 million people, including 700,000 newcomers. A modern and ‘solidary’ society with a universal, free healthcare system and a highly developed education system, it is known for its exceptional quality of life and career opportunities.
Quebec is also known for its democratic political system. Its diversified economy is powered by abundant natural resources and an expanding information technology sector and other cutting-edge industries. Its import-export performance makes it one of the world’s top 20 economies. Québec is also 17 highly diverse regions: rural and urban, mountainous and maritime, French-speaking and cosmopolitan. (Quebec Government Portal) 

It is a land of rich contrasts, from the frozen Arctic to the fertile alluvial plains of the St. Lawrence River. Massive pylons march south from the James Bay generating site (the largest in the world) through the mountains and forests, and across the lovely farmlands, carrying hydroelectric power to southern Quebec and beyond. Canoes glide quietly across peaceful lakes with only the sound of the loons to disturb the silence, while huge container ships bustle in and out of the port of Montreal, one of the busiest Atlantic container ports.

Mineral resources are abundant, notably gold, iron, titanium, asbestos, copper, zinc and silver. Half of the land mass is forested. Quebec has a million lakes and rivers, including the majestic St. Lawrence, Canada’s greatest river, which runs from Ontario through Quebec to the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. To manage this natural wealth and optimize its contribution to the well-being of the people requires skill, knowledge and innovation, all of which are evident in every aspect of Quebec business and life.



As the only region in North America with a French-speaking majority and as one of only two provinces in Canada where the French language is a constitutionally-recognized official language (New Brunswick being the other), the culture of French Quebecers differs from that of the 32.5 million English-speaking citizens of Canada and the United States who surround it, as well as from that of France. (Culture of Quebec)

Facts:

• Land mass: almost 1.7 million square kilometres (three times the size of Spain, five times the size of Japan, and larger than the largest US state Map of Quebec
• Population (2007) 7 700 807
• Government: Parliamentary democracy
• Official Language: French
• Capital: Quebec City
• Higher Education: 17 universities 

• Directory of Research Groups and Chairs in Quebec

Links:

Quebec Government Portal


Atlas Québec (Atlas of Quebec) in French only


Bonjour Québec – official tourism site of the Government of Québec

"Québec … an immense territory that occupies the northeastern-most corner of North America, [is] unique for its history, language and culture. A place of freedom and creativity at the crossroads of the Old and the New World, where tradition and innovation combine with a contagious energy and joie de vivre!"

Québec International – overview, offices abroad, arts & culture, trade & investment and much more

Quebec Universities