Quebec City is the second largest city in the province after Montreal. It was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain at the site of a long abandoned St. Lawrence native-american settlement. Kebec, an Algonquin word, means “place where the river narrows.”

Nowadays, Quebec City is considered to be the first permanent French settlement in North America and one of the world’s most enchanting cities. It is a busy seaport, an important service and research center, and a cultural attraction. In 2008, Quebec City celebrated its 400th anniversary.

Quebec City lies on the Saint Lawrence River, about 233 kilometres (145 mi) away from Montreal. According to the 2006 census, over 491.1 thousand people reside in Quebec City proper and 715.5 thousand in the city’s metropolitan area.

The cradle of French civilization in North America, the city has everything it takes to please a visitor: an enchanting setting, a splendid architectural heritage, a rich and colorful past, and a warm heart of its citizens. Its old quarter is the only walled city in North America named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

French is the official language of the province of Quebec, though English is widely spoken in the tourist areas of Quebec City. It is also not unusual to hear Spanish, German and Japanese in many establishments in the old part of Quebec.

Quebec city

Photo offered by YaniQc

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