Lanaudière

Geography

The region of Lanaudière is part of central Québec and is situated between the Saint Lawrence River and the laurentian massif, between Mauricie and the Laurentides. Lanaudière attracts a good deal of interest from vacationers due to its unique character founded largely on the harmony between its culture and the surrounding natural environment. Lanaudière's 13,543 km² stretch northwest after being bathed by more than 60 km of the Saint Lawrence river's waters. Lanaudière's character is generally rural, while the urban areas are generally concentrated in the south of the region, such as Repentigny and Terrebonne et Berthierville. Its altitude rises as one goes northwards; while it is only 20 meters near the Saint Lawrence river, it rises to almost 800 meters on the top of mountains near Saint-Donat and Saint-Zénon.

Lanaudière is made up of three distinct geographical groupings: the southern plain is strewn with cities and farming villages and includes a rich patrimony of historical locations; the piedmont in the center has become a playground of sorts for villagers and vacationers due to its numerous lakes and natural attractions, and the Laurentian Plateau in the far north in the forested country is known for its fishing and hiking.

The three main ports of entry for Lanaudière are all in the south -- Terrebonne, Repentigny and Berthierville. The network of roads was developed according to three north south axes (25-125, 31-131, 347), all of which ahve few links with the neighboring regions. Even though this internal network is almost exclusively composed of secondary roads, it is well-designed for long automobile trips or for biking. Lanaudière has two wildlife preserves, the Rouge-Matawin and the Mastigouche, as well as part of the Mont Tremblant park. Further to the north, about an hour away from Saint-Michel-des-Saints, there is an Amerindian reservation where Atikamekw (Manawan) live.

History

The region of Lanaudière owes its name to history, for it perpetuates the memory of Marie-Charlotte de Lanaudière, daughter of the lord of Lavaltrie and wife of the businessman Barthélemy Joliette, descendant of the famous explorer Louis Jolliet. Lanaudière evoques the lineage of the lords De Lanaudière who contributed, over seven generations, to the defense and the development of the French colonies in America, to that of France and to that of the region.

See also

• List of Quebec regions