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'Centre-du-Québec' (French for "Central Quebec") is a region of Quebec, Canada. The main centres are Drummondville, Victoriaville and Bécancour. It has a land area of 6,928.78 km² (2,675.22 sq mi) and a 2006 census population of 224,200 inhabitants.

Contents

Description

Subdivisions

Regional County Municipalities

Indian Reserves

Major communities

Highways

See also

External links

Description

The Centre-du-Québec region was established as an independent administrative region of Quebec on July 30, 1997; prior to this date, it formed the southern portion of the Mauricie-Bois-Francs region (the northern part of which is now known simply as Mauricie). Some consider the name 'Bois-Francs' to be synonymous with the Centre-du-Québec region; others see it as being synonymous with Arthabaska RCM, with its main city Victoriaville earning the title ''Capitale des Bois-Francs'' (capital of the Bois-Francs).
The Centre-du-Québec is a primarily agricultural region known as the breadbasket of Quebec; major products include livestock and poultry, dairy products, as well as food crops such as cereals, vegetables, and fruits such as apples and cranberries. Forestry is also a major industry; the name "Bois-Francs" refers to the French term for hardwood, referring to the high density of hardwood forests in the area. Other major industries of the area include transportation, recycling, woodworking and cabinetmaking.
The Centre-du-Québec region derives great benefit from its central location; major centres such as Montreal and Québec are within an hour and a half's drive, while secondary centres such as Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières are close at hand.

Subdivisions

Regional County Municipalities

★ Arthabaska Regional County Municipality, Quebec

★ Bécancour Regional County Municipality, Quebec

★ Drummond Regional County Municipality, Quebec

★ L'Érable Regional County Municipality, Quebec

★ Nicolet-Yamaska Regional County Municipality, Quebec

Indian Reserves

The Centre-du-Québec region is home to several thousand members of the Wabanaki Nation. They are scattered throughout the region, with two major population centres:

★ Odanak, Quebec

★ Wôlinak, Quebec

Major communities

★ Bécancour

★ Drummondville

★ Kingsey Falls

★ Nicolet

★ Plessisville

★ Princeville

★ Victoriaville

★ Warwick

Highways

Main highways in the region include:

★ Autoroute 20

★ Autoroute 55

★ Autoroute 30

★ Route 132

★ Route 122

★ Route 116

★ Route 161

See also

★ List of Quebec regions

External links

★ Centre-du-Québec official website

★ Centre-du-Québec government portal

★ Centre-du-Québec tourist site

★ Toile Jeunesse, a regional youth-oriented portal

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