This article treats island of Orleans as a geographical and historical entity. For the regional municipality of county (MRC) which covers its territory, to see the article Island-in Orleans .

The island of Orleans is an island located in suburbs of the town of Quebec on the Fleuve the St. Lawrence. Long 32 km and broad 8 km, it counts approximately: 10000 inhabitants. The Bridge of the island of Orleans which connects it to Quebec, was inaugurated the July 6th 1935. The Island of Orleans is regarded as one of the oldest places of settlement of the News-France. One finds besides on the island of many farms as well as an important concentration of stone-built houses dating from the French mode. More than 600 buildings are recognized by the government of the Quebec, like having a great financial asset, of which oldest church of News-France.

History

It is Jacques Cartier which, in 1535, with the sight of this green island, calls it island of Bacchus , because of the wild vines which push there. But well before the arrival of Europeans, the Amerindians indicated the island by the word algonquin " Ouindigo" who means bewitched corner . With the passing of years, the island cumulated a series of different names. Its final name, of Island of Orleans, one owes it (still) in Jacques Cartier who, the May 6th 1536, thus renamed it in the honor of the Duc of Orleans, wire of king de France, François Ier.

At the beginning of colonization, the colonists called to populate the island are for the majority originating in the Normandy and the Poitou.

The census of 1685 counted: 1205 islanders and 917 heads of cattle.

In 1759, the island will be occupied by the English, but it persists today, only few traces of their passage. The island is nevertheless devastated by the British troops. At the time of the setting with bag of the island by the troops of Wolfe, the summer 1759, only three dwellings on a total of 350 were saved. The saved dwellings were the Manoir Mauvide-Genest and the Maison Drouin, which always exist, and another, that having been used as general headquarter with the army of Wolfe.

Economy

The economy of the island of Orleans is mainly based on agriculture (Blé, Maïs.), a notable Vine growing - some small fields produce Vin S buildings white S and red -, production of Cidre, and the breeding. Tourism is also an activity of the island in particular because of the second home of the inhabitants of the town of Quebec, who have very pretty houses on the circumference of this one.

Others

The regional Municipalité of county of Island-in Orleans includes the island and the 6 municipalities which compose it.

Y is buried Felix Leclerc († August 8th 1988). One finds there the Espace Felix Leclerc in his honor.

Yves Duteil refers in its song there the language of on our premises .

External bond

• Introduction, historical (QuébecWeb)

• Producing Hats of the island of Orleans

Random links:

Beautiful Spine | Aristide Corre | Internet | Eric Dickerson | Corsican French