Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
Coordinates: 46°55′N 70°54′W / 46.917°N 70.9°W / 46.917; -70.9
Country	Canada
Province	Quebec
Region	Capitale-Nationale
Regional County	L'Île-d'Orléans
Settled
Incorporated	July 1, 1855
Government
- Type	Municipality
- Mayor	Jean-Claude Pouliot
- Federal riding	Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord
- Prov. riding	Montmorency
Area [1]
- Land	43.49 km2 (16.8 sq mi)
Population (2006)[1]
- Total	968
- Density	22.3/km2 (57.8/sq mi)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Postal Code	G0A
Area code(s)	418

Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans is a municipality in the Capitale-Nationale region of Quebec, Canada, part of the L'Île-d'Orléans Regional County Municipality. It is situated on the south-east side of Orléans Island.

[edit] History

The area was first colonized early in the 17th century. In 1680, a mission was founded and served by the priest of Sainte-Famille. In 1714, the Parish of Saint-Jean-Baptiste was formed and became a civil parish in 1722. It is believed that this name commemorates Jean de Lauson, Seneschal in New France and son of Governor Lauson, born circa 1620 and killed at the mouth of the Maheu River in 1661 by the Iroquois. Nevertheless, it could also be attributed to John the Baptist in line with the many other religious toponyms on the island.^[2]

Although having a well-established agricultural history, Saint-Jean's location on the Saint Lawrence River prompted also development of maritime and fishing trades. It was especially known for its river pilots who would guide vessels through the treacherous Saint Lawrence navigation channel. Over the centuries, a great number of river pilots came from Saint-Jean.^[3]

In 1845 the Municipality of Saint-Jean was formed, but abolished in 1847 when it became part of the County Municipality. In 1852, its post office opened. In 1855, it was reestablised as the Parish Municipality of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. In 2003, it changed statutes and its name, becoming the Municipality of Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans.^[2]

[edit] Demographics

Population:^[4]

• Population in 2006: 968 (2001 to 2006 population change: 12.3 %)
• Population in 2001: 862
• Population in 1996: 847
• Population in 1991: 832

Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 456 (total dwellings: 688)

Mother tongue:

• English as first language: 0 %
• French as first language: 95 %
• English and French as first language: 4 %
• Other as first language: 1 %

[edit] Tourism and attractions

The church of Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, built in 1734, and listed as a historic building.

Like the neighbouring municipalities, Saint-Jean has a rich cultural heritage with many historic buildings. Just past the heart of the village, there is a long line of quaint houses (formerly belonging to river pilots), art galleries, and artists' studios. Of particular interest is the Mauvide-Genest Manor, a rare and exceptional example of French seigneurial past and one of the oldest remaining manor houses in Quebec. This National Historic Site was built in 1734 and restored in 1999, and is now open to the public as a historic interpretation centre.^[3]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Île d'Orléans - Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans portrait
• Mauvide-Genest Manor

	Sainte-Famille		Saint-François-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
			Saint Lawrence River / Berthier-sur-Mer
		Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
	Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans	Saint Lawrence River / Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse	Saint Lawrence River / Saint-Vallier

v • d • e  Administrative divisions of Capitale-Nationale  (Region 03) Small caps indicate municipalities with over 10,000 inhabitants (2006 census). Regional county municipalities and equivalent territories Charlevoix-Est · Charlevoix · L'Île-d'Orleans · La Côte-de-Beaupré · La Jacques-Cartier · Québec · Portneuf Major1 municipalities La Malbaie · Clermont · Baie-Saint-Paul · Beaupré · Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré · Château-Richer · Boischatel · Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier · Fossambault-sur-le-Lac · Lac-Saint-Joseph · Lac-Delage · Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury · Lac-Beauport · Shannon · Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier · Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval · Quebec · L'Ancienne-Lorette · Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures · Neuville · Pont-Rouge · Donnacona · Cap-Santé · Saint-Basile · Portneuf · Saint-Marc-des-Carrières · Lac-Sergent · Saint-Raymond · Sainte-Christine-d'Auvergne · Saint-Casimir · Deschambault-Grondines · Saint-Léonard · Rivière-à-Pierre · Rivière-à-Pierre · Saint-Ubalde · Saint-Thuribe · Saint-Gilbert · Saint-Alban Administrative divisions of Quebec