Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts

Sainte -Agathe -des- Monts is a town in the southwest of the Canadian province of Quebec. It is located in the administrative region of Laurentides, about 100 kilometers northwest of Montreal. Sainte -Agathe -des- Monts is part of the regional county municipality ( municipalité régional du comté ) Les Laurentides, has an area of ​​128.78 km ² and has 10,115 inhabitants ( 2011).

Geography

Sainte -Agathe -des- Monts is situated in the Laurentian Mountains, at the headwaters of the Rivière du Nord. This tributary of the Ottawa River rises about 5 km north of the city center in the Lac Brûlé. The western parts of the city on the shore of Lac des Sables. There are also numerous small lakes, such as Lac à la Truite. Neighboring municipalities of Val- des- Lacs in the north, Lantier in the northeast, Sainte -Lucie -des- Laurentides in the east, Val- David in the Southeast, Saint -Adolphe - d'Howard in the south, Ivry- sur -le- Lac and Saint- Faustin -Lac -Carré in the west and Lac- Supérieur in the northwest.

History

The first families settled here in 1849 to settle permanently, predominantly Catholic French Canadians. The first inhabitants operated dairy industry and worked as a lumberjack. With the opening of a railway line of the Canadian Pacific Railway from Saint- Jérôme ago, the village experienced in 1892 a striking growth spurt. Sainte -Agathe -des- Monts became the preferred destinations for holidays and destination by the (mostly Anglophone ) Montreal topsheet Swabia built stately mansions; also a small Jewish community established itself. It resulted in several sanatoriums and a hospital for tuberculosis patients, which are today no longer exist.

In 1915 received the city status in the community. The name reminds one hand on the Holy Agatha of Catania, on the other hand to the location in the mountains. He was first officially used in 1879 by the newly opened post office. The highway to Montreal in 1965 opened, shut down the railway line in 1981 and converted into a cycle path. After the closure of a carpet factory at the beginning of the 1980s it promoted the tourism strengthened and positioned the city as a year-round destination. In addition, the expansion came to a regional service and training center. 2002 ordered the provincial government to the merger with the municipalities of Sainte -Agathe -Nord and Ivry- sur -le- Lac. However, the latter decided in a 2006 referendum for secession from Sainte -Agathe -des- Monts.

The city maintains community partnerships with Lagny -sur -Marne in France ( since 1969 ) and Saranac Lake in upstate New York ( since 2002).

Population

According to the 2011 census counted Sainte -Agathe -des- Monts 10,115 inhabitants, which corresponds to a population density of 78.5 inh. / Km ². 91.3 % of the population reported French as the main language, the proportion of English was 4.9 %. As a bilingual ( French and English) is designated 0.6 %, to other languages ​​and multiple responses accounted for 3.2%. Only 60.0% spoke French. In 2001, 89.0 % of the population were Roman Catholic, 3.9% Protestant, and 5.7% non-denominational.

Transport and the economy

On the northern outskirts of Sainte -Agathe -des- Monts Autoroute 15 starts; this highway connects the Laurentian Mountains with Montreal and the New York U.S. state. Another important road link is the route 117 (Montreal- Rouyn -Noranda ). The former railway line has been converted into a cycle path that belongs to the network of the Route Verte.

Of great economic importance of tourism. Due to the scenic location surrounded by mountains, forests and lakes of Sainte -Agathe -des- Monts is a popular excursion and holiday destination for residents of the metropolitan area of Montreal. Facilities include, among others, several campsites, a theater, a sailing school, beaches, two golf courses and an art museum. In addition, numerous cultural events are held.

Personalities

  • Jean -Jacques Bertrand (1916-1973), politician
  • Mikaël Kingsbury (* 1992), freestyle skiers
  • Gaston Miron (1928-1996), poet
  • Brittany Phelan (* 1991), alpine skier
  • Marie-Pier Préfontaine (* 1988), alpine skier
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