Québec City

Québec City

The Capital of the Canadian province of Québec is Québec City. In 1608, the explorer Samuel de Champlain founded a French settlement here and adopted the name Algonquin. Quebec City is one of the earliest European settlements in North America, and the ramparts around Old Quebec are the only fortified city walls that remain north of Mexico in the Americas. In 1985, UNESCO designated this area a World Heritage Site as the "Historic District of Old Québec." Among the city's landmarks are the Château Frontenac hotel, which dominates the skyline. Quebec City is located on the north bank of the St Lawrence River, where the river narrows to meet the mouth of the Saint Charles River. Old Quebec lies at the top and foot of Cap-Diamant, which is located on the eastern edge of the plateau known as promontory of Quebec. One of the most significant parks in the city is The Battlefields Park, home to 50 historic artillery pieces and the Plains of Abraham. The park overlooks the St. Lawrence River and is home to several historic buildings and statues, such as Joan of Arc on Horseback and some of the Martello Towers. Québec City is surrounded by beautiful forests, natural areas of all kinds and numerous national parks. Around the city you can see animals such as the Moose, whales, Black Bears, Greater Snow Geese and beavers. Hikers often encounter groundhogs, Red Squirrels, porcupines, raccoons, hares and White-Tailed Deer.