QUEBEC
CITY - CANADA |
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Quebec City (officially,
Québec), a Canadian city, is the capital of Quebec. Quebec's Old Town (Vieux
Québec), the only fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist,
was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. The city has a
population of 169,076 (2001), while the metropolitan area has a population
of 682,757 (2001). To
differentiate between Quebec the city and Quebec the province, the city is
referred to as Quebec City. In French, the province is called le Québec ("in
Quebec" = au Québec) while the city is simply Québec without the le. "In
Quebec City" is à Québec. Officially, the city is called Québec (with an
acute accent, no "city") by both the provincial and federal governments in
both languages.
The mayor of Quebec City is Jean-Paul L'Allier. |
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Attractions
Quebec City's skyline is dominated by the massive Château Frontenac hotel,
perched on top of Cap Diamant. The hotel is on the Terrasse Dufferin, a
walkway along the edge of the cliff, offering beautiful views of the Saint
Lawrence.
Near the Château Frontenac is Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral, see of the
Archbishop of Quebec. It is the first cathedral and first basilica to have
been built in the New World, and is the primate church of Canada.
The Terrasse Dufferin leads toward the nearby Plains of Abraham, site of the
battle in which the British took Quebec from France, and La Citadelle, a
Canadian Forces installation and vice-regal residence. The National Assembly,
Quebec's provincial legislature, is also near the Citadelle.
The Upper Town is linked by stairways and a funicular to the Lower Town,
which includes such sites as the ancient Notre Dame de la Victoire church,
the historical Petit Champlain district, the port, and the Musée de la
Civilisation.
Laval University is located in the western end of the city. Founded by the
Jesuits one year before Harvard University, Laval was the first university
in North America. The central campus of the Université du Québec is also
located in Quebec City.
Quebec City is known for its Winter Carnival and for its Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Day celebrations.
Tourist attractions located near Quebec City include Montmorency Falls and
the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. |
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