Centre-du-Québec | |
|---|---|
Region | |
 Map of Centre-du-Québec in relation to Quebec. | |
| Coordinates:46°17′N72°04′W / 46.283°N 72.067°W /46.283; -72.067 | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Quebec |
| Government | |
| • Table des MRC du Centre-du-Québec (Regional conference of elected officers) | Lionel Fréchette (President) |
| Area | |
| • Land | 6,930.05 km2 (2,675.71 sq mi) |
| Population (2016)[1] | |
• Total | 242,399 |
| • Density | 35/km2 (91/sq mi) |
| Website | www.centreduquebec.gouv.qc.ca |
Centre-du-Québec (French pronunciation:[sɑ̃tʁdykebɛk],Central Quebec) is a region ofQuebec, Canada. The main centres areDrummondville,Victoriaville, andBécancour. It has a land area of 6,930.05 square kilometres (2,675.71 sq mi) and a2016 census population of 242,399 inhabitants.[1]
The Centre-du-Québec region was established as an independent administrative region of Quebec on July 30, 1997 (in effect August 20 upon publication in theGazette officielle du Québec); prior to this date, it formed the southern portion of theMauricie–Bois-Francs region (the northern part of which is now known simply asMauricie).[2]
Centre-du-Québec is not located in the geographic centre of Quebec, though it is approximately located in the centre of the southern portion of the province. Some consider the nameBois-Francs to be synonymous with the Centre-du-Québec region; others see it as being synonymous withArthabaska Regional County Municipality, with its main cityVictoriaville earning the titleCapitale des Bois-Francs (capital of the Bois-Francs).
The Centre-du-Québec is a primarilyagricultural region known as thebreadbasket of Quebec; major products includelivestock andpoultry,dairy products (the region produces more dairy products than all of Canada’smaritime provinces combined[3]), as well as food crops such ascereals,vegetables, andfruits such asapples andcranberries. The city ofPlessisville, located in the region, is known for itsmaple syrup production and is known as the Maple Capital of the World (Capitale Mondiale de l’Érable).[4]Forestry is also a major industry; the name "Bois-Francs" refers to the French term forhardwood, referring to the high density ofhardwood forests in the area. Other major industries of the area includetransportation,recycling,woodworking andcabinetmaking.
The Centre-du-Québec region derives great benefit from its central location; major centres such asMontreal andQuebec City are within an hour and a half's drive, while secondary centres such asSherbrooke andTrois-Rivières are close at hand. The region bordersMauricie, right across the St. Lawrence River, to the north,Montérégie to the west,Chaudière-Appalaches to the east andEstrie to the south. TheLaviolette Bridge, which connects the region to Trois-Rivières, is located inBécancour and is the only structure in Quebec located in between Montreal and Quebec City that connects both the north and south shores of the St. Lawrence.[5]
| Regional County Municipality (RCM) | Population Canada 2016 Census[6] | Land Area | Density (pop. per km2) | Seat of RCM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthabaska | 72,014 | 1,890.18 km2 (729.80 sq mi) | 38.1 | Victoriaville |
| Bécancour | 20,404 | 1,144.67 km2 (441.96 sq mi) | 17.85 | Bécancour |
| Drummond | 103,397 | 1,600.26 km2 (617.86 sq mi) | 64.6 | Drummondville |
| L'Érable | 23,366 | 1,286.81 km2 (496.84 sq mi) | 18.2 | Plessisville |
| Nicolet-Yamaska | 23,159 | 1,007.09 km2 (388.84 sq mi) | 23.0 | Nicolet |
The Centre-du-Québec region is home to several thousand members of theWabanaki Nation. They are scattered throughout the region, with two major population centres:
The highways and roads that serve the region are:
Administrative divisions ofQuebec | |
|---|---|
| Subdivisions | |
| Communities | |
| Major cities | |
| Regions | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
.svg)
