Les Escoumins

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Coordinates: 48°21′05″N 69°24′27″W / 48.35139°N 69.40750°W / 48.35139; -69.40750[1]
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For the Indian reserve formerly known as Les Escoumins, see Essipit.

Les Escoumins
Municipality
Location within La Haute-Côte-Nord RCM.
Location within La Haute-Côte-Nord RCM.
Les Escoumins is located in Côte-Nord region, Quebec
Les Escoumins
Les Escoumins
Location in Côte-Nord region of Quebec.
Coordinates: 48°21′05″N 69°24′27″W / 48.35139°N 69.40750°W / 48.35139; -69.40750[1][2]
CountryCanada
ProvinceQuebec
RegionCôte-Nord
RCMLa Haute-Côte-Nord
Settled1825
Constituted5 May 1863
Government
[3]
 • MayorAndré Desrosiers
 • Federal ridingBeauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d'Orléans—Charlevoix
 • Prov. ridingRené-Lévesque
Area
 (2021)[4]
 • Land265.89 km2 (102.66 sq mi)
 • Population centre792.4 km2 (305.9 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[4]
 • Total1,794
 • Density6.7/km2 (17/sq mi)
 • Population centre
1,274
 • Population centre density1.61/km2 (4.2/sq mi)
 • Pop 2016-2021
Decrease 5.1%
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
G0T 1K0
Area code(s)418 and 581
Highways R-138
Websitewww.escoumins.ca

Les Escoumins is a municipality in La Haute-Côte-Nord Regional County Municipality in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec. It is located on the north shore of the maritime estuary of the St. Lawrence River.

History[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Its name has traditionally been recognized to come from the Innu-aimun iskomin, meaning "where there are many seeds" or "there are fruits or seeds", in turn from the roots isko or ishko ("as far as this/that") and min (red seeds, or wild berries in general). According to more recent theory, it could also be a variation of the Mi'kmaq term eskumunaak, meaning "lookout place". In addition, other sources say that the place is named Essipit in Innu-aimun, meaning "river of shells".[2]

Several spellings have been used over the centuries such as Uscamin, Les Escoumains, Essuie-Mains, L'Esquemin, Lesquemin, Leschemin (Champlain, 1629), L'Esquemain, and Lesquemain (1611 map of Champlain and other texts of 1626). The oldest reference to this name dates back to the map of Levasseur of 1601, that shows Escanimes; and to a contract of 1604 that included the rare spelling Esguenim.[2]

Early history[edit]

The Innu and Mi'kmaq frequented the area, particularly in the spring, to gather berries that covered the rocks and mossy plains.[2][5]

In 1863, the Municipality of Les Escoumains was formed, and in 1957, the spelling of the municipality's name was corrected to its current form.[2]

Geography[edit]

Essipit, an Innu community, is located here.

Demographics[edit]

Federal census population history of Les Escoumins
YearPop.±%
19912,212—    
19962,136−3.4%
20012,106−1.4%
20062,073−1.6%
20112,000−3.5%
20161,891−5.4%
20211,794−5.1%
Source: Statistics Canada[4][6][7][8][9][10]

In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Les Escoumins had a population of 1,794 living in 856 of its 983 total private dwellings, a change of -5.1% from its 2016 population of 1,891. With a land area of 265.89 km2 (102.66 sq mi), it had a population density of 6.7/km2 (17.5/sq mi) in 2021.[4]

The median age of the population in 2021 was 54.8 and 92% of the people were over 15.[4] At the same census 14.86% reported being Indigenous, almost evenly divided between Métis and First Nations.[4]

Languages spoken at the 2021 census, as a mother tongue were French (99.71%), English (0.29%), and other languages (0.29%).[4]

Attractions[edit]

St. Marcelin, Catholic parish church

The Marine Environment Discovery Centre in Les Escoumins offers snorkelling and scuba diving, and observation areas for seals, seabirds, and whales, within the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park.[11]

Infrastructure[edit]

Transportation[edit]

It is accessible via The Whale Route (Route 138)[12][13] and by the sea.

Year-round service is available from Laurentian Pilotage Authority.[14] A ferry service runs between Les Escoumins and Trois-Pistoles.[15]

Media[edit]

CHME-FM is a radio station in the community.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Les Escoumins". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Les Escoumins". Quebec Gouvernement (in French). Commission de Toponymie Quebec. 6 November 1986. Retrieved 27 April 2024. The possibility of watching blue whales or fishing for cod attract many holidaymakers in search of sun and sea bathing.
  3. ^ "Les Escoumins (95025)". Répertoire des municipalités (in French). Government of Quebec. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024. This gentilé is an official form, i.e. it has been the subject of a resolution of the municipal council.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Nunavut". Statistics Canada. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Les Escoumins". Municipalité des Escoumins. 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024. Heir to the forest and the sea, the village of Les Escoumins invites you to the daily celebration of the marriage between the salt waters of the St. Lawrence River and the fresh waters of the forested hinterland
  6. ^ "96 Census: A National Overview - Population and Dwelling Counts" (PDF). Statistics Canada. April 1997. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Subdivisions (Municipalities), 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Quebec)". Statistics Canada. 15 August 2012. p. 21. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Quebec)". Statistics Canada. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Quebec)". Statistics Canada. 25 July 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Quebec)". Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Marine Environment Discovery Centre". 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024. Discover the underwater world of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park from starfish to the largest marine mammals.
  12. ^ "Network of observation sites along the Whale Route (Route 138)" (PDF). 21 May 2010. p. 12. Retrieved 11 May 2024. Whale-watching sites for everyone
  13. ^ "Whales of the St. Lawrence river". Whales Online. 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024. The estuary is home to belugas all year round. In summer, the estuary also hosts rorquals and other species of toothed whales that benefit from the abundance of krill, capelin and other small fish.
  14. ^ "Safety of Navigation on the St. Lawrence and Saguenay". Maritime Pilotage Services. Laurentian Pilotage Authority. Retrieved 26 April 2024. A federal Crown corporation responsible for administering and providing marine pilotage and related services in the waters of the Laurentian region
  15. ^ "Traverse Trois-Pistoles - Les Escoumins". 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024. It is recommends that you book your departure date and time in advance.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Les Escoumins.
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