Rimouski, Quebec
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Rimouski is a city (ville) on the western part of Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec, located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the mouth of the Rimouski River. Population (2001 census) 41,549.
Rimouski is a major regional centre and is home of several institutions such as Université du Québec à Rimouski and CEGEP de Rimouski. It is the seat for the Rimouski-Neigette Regional County Municipality.
On May 6, 1950, Rimouski was the theater of a terrible fire that burnt to the ground some 319 houses. This event is known as "La nuit rouge" (French for the red night). The fire originated in the Price Brothers Company yard on the left shore of the Rimouski River and quickly crossed the river and spread throughout the city pushed by strong winds, destroying half of the city. No one died in the blaze. Legend has it that a priest sprinkled holy water around the city's cathedral and that the fire stopped right then and there.
Rimouski has a rich cultural life. Each year, it hosts a jazz festival (Festi Jazz International de Rimouski) and a film festival for children (Carrousel international du film de Rimouski).
One of its main tourist attraction is the "Musée de la mer" (museum of the sea), which is centered on the Empress Of Ireland disaster and the Pointe-au-Père lighthouse.
There is a ferry service which crosses the river to Forestville, Quebec on the north shore. The city can also be reached by train on VIA Rail. There is also a municipal airport (IATA airport code YXK).
In 2002 Rimouski amalgamated with the following communities. (2001 populations)
- Rimouski (31,305)
- Pointe-au-Père (4,171)
- Sainte-Blandine (2,218)
- Rimouski-Est (2,058)
- Sainte-Odile-sur-Rimouski (1,463)
- Mont-Lebel (334)
External links
- Cégep de Rimouski (http://www.cegep-rimouski.qc.ca/)
- Université du Québec à Rimouski (http://www.uqar.qc.ca/uqar/index.html)
- Ville de Rimouski (http://www.ville.rimouski.qc.ca/)fr:Rimouski