|
|
Rivière-du-Loup (pop. 18,118) is a small city on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec.
It is a traditional stopping point between Quebec City and the Gaspé Peninsula. The Trans-Canada Highway turns south here and continues to Edmundston, New Brunswick. There is a ferry which crosses the river to Saint-Siméon, Quebec on the north shore. There is also an airport (IATA airport code YRI).
The city was named after the nearby river, whose name means Wolf River in French. This name may have come from a native tribe known as "Les Loups" or from the many seals, known in French as loup-marin, once found at the river's mouth. From 1850 to 1919, this settlement was known as Fraserville.
It is widely believed to be the site of the second most spectacular sunset in the world.
Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister, had a summer home in Rivière-du-Loup.
People born there include:
- Dr. John McLoughlin, known as "the father of Oregon"
The city is the seat for the Rivière-du-Loup Regional County Municipality.
External links
- Official city site (http://www.ville.riviere-du-loup.qc.ca/)