You’ve heard about the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec, but have you heard about the French islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, located off the coast of Canada at the entrance of Fortune Bay?
Amazingly, hundreds of years after France relinquished its hold over other North American territories, it maintains the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
Equally amazing is the history of the islands, which transferred back and forth between England and France several times since Europeans took notice of them in 1520. At that time, they were held by the Micmac Indian tribe.
Today, the islands are a French territory. Located close to the Grand Banks, fishing is a major industry for the residents of the islands, although many also work in the public sector.
Approximately 6,300 people live on the two islands; more than 5,700 of them live on the island of Saint-Pierre.
Since the islands are so small, there are no street names. Residents give directions using landmarks, nicknames, and people’s residences as markers.
The only time the guillatine was used in North America was on a man convicted of murder on the island of St. Pierre. The guillatine had to be shipped from France. It was never used again and is now in a museum on Saint-Pierre.
Kathy: I’ve heard of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. I love this kind of thing.
How very interesting! Exactly where is Fortune Bay where we would find St.-Pierre and Miquelon? Near the mouth of the St.Lawrence? Or nearer Montreal?
According to this map, these islands are not very close to Montreal and Quebec at all. They’re really just off the coast of Newfoundland. You can see the map I used here: http://www.st-pierre-et-miquelon.com/media/maps/northamerica.jpg
They certainly are isolated!