Lanaudière (French pronunciation: [lanodjɛʁ], locally [lanod͡zjaɛ̯ʁ]) is one of the seventeen administrative regions of Quebec, Canada, situated immediately to the northeast of Montreal. It has a total population (2016 Census) of 494,796 inhabitants, an increase of 4.9% over the 2011 census.[1]

Lanaudière
Coordinates: 46°46′N 73°50′W / 46.767°N 73.833°W / 46.767; -73.833
CountryCanada Canada
ProvinceQuebec Quebec
Regional County
Municipalities (RCM) and Equivalent
Territories (ET)
Government
 • Table des préfets de Lanaudière (Regional conference of elected officers)Gaétan Morin (President)
Area
 • Land12,423.38 km2 (4,796.69 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)[1]
 • Total
494,796
 • Density39.8/km2 (103/sq mi)
 • Change
2011-2016
Increase 4.9%
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Postal code
Area code450, 579
Websitewww.lanaudiere.gouv.qc.ca
[2]

Geography

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The region of Lanaudière is part of central Quebec and is located between the Saint Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains, between Mauricie and the Laurentides. Lanaudière attracts a good deal of interest from vacationers. Lanaudière's area of 12,413.73 square kilometres (4,792.97 sq mi) stretch northwest from a shoreline of 60 kilometers (37 mi) on the Saint Lawrence River. Lanaudière is generally rural, while the urban areas are generally concentrated in the south of the region, such as Repentigny, Terrebonne and Berthierville. The altitude rises as one goes northwards; it is 20 meters (66 ft) near the Saint Lawrence River to almost 800 meters (2,600 ft) at the top of mountains near Saint-Donat and Saint-Zénon.

Lanaudière is made up of three distinct geographical groupings: the southern plain has cities and farming villages and includes many historical locations; the piedmont in the centre has become a vacation spot due to its numerous lakes and natural attractions, and the Laurentian Plateau in the far north in the forested country is known for its fishing and hiking.

The three main ports of entry for Lanaudière are all in the south: Terrebonne, Repentigny and Berthierville.

Lanaudière's road network was developed according to three north-south axes (25-125, 31-131, 347), all of which have few links with the neighbouring regions. This internal network is almost exclusively composed of secondary roads. Lanaudière has two wildlife preserves, the Rouge-Matawin and the Mastigouche, as well as part of the Mont Tremblant park. Further to the north, about an hour away from Saint-Michel-des-Saints, there is the Atikamekw indian reserve of Manawan.

History

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The region of Lanaudière owes its name to history - it perpetuates the memory of Marie-Charlotte de Lanaudière, daughter of the lord of Lavaltrie and wife of the businessman Barthélemy Joliette, descendant of the famous explorer Louis Jolliet. The name Lanaudière evokes the lineage of the lords De Lanaudière who contributed, over seven generations, to the defence and the development of the French colonies in America, of France and of the region.[citation needed]

Administrative divisions

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Regional county municipalities

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Regional County Municipality (RCM) Population
Canada 2016 Census[3]
Land Area Density
(pop. per km2)
Seat of RCM
D'Autray 42,189 1,249.30 km2 (482.36 sq mi) 33.8 Berthierville
Joliette 66,550 418.12 km2 (161.44 sq mi) 159.2 Joliette
L'Assomption 124,759 255.65 km2 (98.71 sq mi) 488.0 L'Assomption
Les Moulins 158,267 261.13 km2 (100.82 sq mi) 606.1 Terrebonne
Matawinie 50,435 9,528.17 km2 (3,678.85 sq mi) 5.3 Rawdon
Montcalm 52,596 711.02 km2 (274.53 sq mi) 74.0 Sainte-Julienne

School districts

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The 10 French-language districts have service by the two school service centres of the region and two districts by centres of Laurentides:

Major communities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Census Profile, 2016 Census Lanaudière [Economic region], Quebec". Statistics Canada. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  2. ^ "Lanaudière, Quebec (Code 2450) and Quebec (Code 24) (table)". Census Profile. Canada 2011 Census. Statistics Canada. 2012-05-29. pp. Catalogue no. 98–316–XWE. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  3. ^ "Population and Dwelling Count Highlight Tables, 2016 Census". Statistics Canada. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
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