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A Québec City and Area Overview
General Overview
- Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain
- Québec City celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2008
- The cradle of French civilization in North America
- In 1985, the “Arrondissement historique de Québec” was proclaimed a UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
- Capital city of the Province of Québec, total population seven and a half
million
- Seat of the National Assembly (Provincial Legislature)
- Land area: 9 000 km2, located 250 km east of Montréal
- The Greater Québec City Area population totals 642 000, 95 % of which are
francophone. English is widely spoken in all service industries and tourist
and shopping areas.
- Québec City, Côte-de-Beaupré, Île d'Orléans, as well as the Jacques-Cartier
and Portneuf communities are included in the Greater Québec Area territory.
Quality of Life
- One of the safest areas in North America
- Healthful environment, clean air, ample greenery and wide open spaces
- Cost of living is lower than in the world’s large cities
Economic activities
- A Canadian center for hi tech research
- A major seat of the biotechnology and biomedical industry
- Primary industries: logging, quarries and sandpits, agrifood
- Manufacturing industries: pulp and paper, wood products, metallurgy, printing,
food and beverages
- Service industries: civil service, health care, tourism, education,
transportation and communications
- 38,000 jobs related to tourist activities in 2004
Tourism
- Nearly 5.1 million visitors per year (2008), 1.1 million of which were from
outside Canada, representing 75 countries
- 1.63 billion dollars of tourist expenditures per year (2008)
- Some 250 lodging establishments for a total lodging capacity of 12 600 rooms
- Over 14 million of nights per year (2008)
- 3rd destination in Canada, after Toronto and Montréal (number of tourists)
- Satisfaction rating: 99% for visitor reception; 99% for safety
- Tourists' origin
:
- Province of Québec 66.7%
- Canada 12.3%
- United States 11.0%
- Overseas 10,0%
Québec City region, a world-class destination
The Québec City region offers all the excitement of big city living and all the
exhilaration of nature just minutes from town. The city itself is uniquely
beautiful. Green, clean and safe, Québec City is equipped with the best in
tourist and entertainment facilities. It constitutes the ideal destination for a
leisure travel, an incentive travel or a business travel.
Top quality tourists facilities
Luxuriate in the comfort of our hotels and inns. Whether you choose an upscale
hotel or a charming small inn, you'll be welcomed with warmth, courtesy and
efficiency. There are some 12,600 rooms available in the area, including over
2000 international-class rooms.
Québec City enjoys good air, train and road transportation service and the
Jean-Lesage International Airport was entirely remodelled in 2008.
Gastronomy
Treat yourself to the pleasures of gourmet dining in our refined restaurants,
friendly bistros, sidewalk cafés and springtime maple sugar shacks. You'll
discover why Québec City has a well-deserved reputation as the North American
capital of exquisite cuisine.
Culture
Choose among the many artistic, cultural and sporting events:
- The Mr. Christie Québec Winter Carnival, the world's most famous winter
celebration
- The Québec Summer Festival, the largest francophone music and street performer
event in North America
- The SAQ New-France Festival brings to us the atmosphere of by-gone days of
other centuries
- Theater, film and folk festivals and much more.
Major museums include the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Musée de la
civilisation, and Musée de l’Amérique française. Offering international
exhibitions in one or the other location, they please the entire family.
Visitor find attractions for every taste, from multimedia shows and fascinating
museums to spine-tingling water and snow slides.
Outdoor activities
Enjoy the great outdoors only minutes away from downtown. Partake in your
favourite summer sports on the majestic St. Lawrence River or any of the
countless lakes and rivers in the area, or spend time hiking, climbing, golfing
or just enjoying the scenery in one of our sprawling parks.
Nature lovers can observe moose, bears, lynx as well as the incredible migration
of the snow geese every spring and fall in the many wildlife reserves and parks.
Experience exceptional winter sports conditions at one of several ski resorts
situated less than 30 minutes from downtown.
Choose Québec City and you'll discover a region that has everything it takes to
turn your stay into magical memories. Visit www.quebecregion.com for more
details.
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