Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park

The Laurentians

F6

The Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve is one of currently 16 biosphere reserves in Canada. It is located in the province of Quebec and was recognized by UNESCO in 1988 as such.

The biosphere reserve extends along the coast of Petite- Rivière -Saint -François to Saint - Fidele; next to the river basins it includes the Ile aux Coudres, in the west of Le Massif to the Parc national des Grands- Jardins. In the north part of the Réserve faunique des Laurentides, as well as the Parc national des Hautes- Gorges -de- la- Rivière- Malbaie it. The biosphere reserve covers a total of about 4570 km ², and it is home to around 30,000 people. Some 650 km ² enjoy as parks providing more extensive protection, added the Centre écologique de Port -au- Saumon. Moreover reserve all economic activities should continue to be pursued, which do not endanger the area.

Watery, glacial landscapes dominate the area. The catchment areas of the rivers you Chasm with about 1000 km ², and the Malbaie 1850 km ² are in the center. In addition, the smaller pool of Rivière, Jean -Noël comes with some 132 km ². Moreover, the Biosphere Reserve about 1200 lakes with a surface area of less than one hectare. Along the coast are mainly the Ile aux Coudres and the coast to Cap -à- l'Aigle of the utmost importance, as are the nurseries of Belugas here. In addition, numerous species of birds highlight the importance of the reserve. In addition, it is also geologically unique as here suggested about 350 million years ago an asteroid one, which had a diameter of 2 kilometers and an estimated 15 billion tons weighed (see Charlevoix ( crater ) ). The area is now the largest earthquake in eastern Canada, with most shocks have their epicenter below the St. Laurent River.