AbstractsGeography &GIS

The purpose of this study is to describe the nature and quality of settlement in a typical part of the Quebec country-side, and to trace the evolution of the present pattern of settlement and the cultural landscape. The Richelieu Valley was chosen because of its significance in the history of the province of Quebec and because of its geographical interest. In the southern part of the Province of Quebec are round the St. Lawrence Lowlands. This level, fertile area, along the St. Lawrence River provides a great contrast to the rough, forested lands of the rest of the province. The lowlands were the first lands in Quebec to be settled, and they have become the most densely populated, as well as being the most productive agricultural region in the province.· The Richelieu River, flowing north from Lake Champlain, and almost parallel to the St. Lawrence, crosses the Montreal Plain, a section of the lowlands, and for most of its length the river valley may be regarded today as a cross-section of this part of Quebec. The land on either aide of the river is, then, very flat, and the Richelieu Valley is not an obvious physical unit. In order to delimit the area to be studied, the land included within the drainage system of the Richelieu in Quebec was delineated and this line was adopted as the boundary. A few minor changes were made, and these are considered in the following paragraphs.[...]