Saint-Pierre, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
Encyclopedia
Saint-Pierre is the capital of the French overseas collectivity
of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada
. Saint-Pierre is the more populated of the two communes (municipalities) making up Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
. Although containing nearly 90% of the inhabitants of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the commune of Saint-Pierre is considerably smaller than the commune of Miquelon-Langlade
, which lies to its northwest.
The main settlement and communal seat is situated on the north side of a harbour called Barachois, which faces the Atlantic Ocean
, on the Saint-Pierre Island's east coast. The mouth of the harbour is guarded by a small chain of islands.
. The commune of L'Île-aux-Marins was annexed by the commune of Saint-Pierre in 1945.
, Breton
, Normand
or Acadian
descent. All inhabitants in the commune (municipality) live on the island of Saint-Pierre proper.
Adjunct Maire
Conseillers Municipaux
Opposition
Other prominent landmarks in Saint-Pierre include the cathedral
, to the north of the square, rebuilt in the early twentieth century after a major fire, and the Pointe aux Canons Lighthouse, at the mouth of the harbour. Further north, close to the town's hospital, is the Fronton Zazpiak Bat - an arena for the traditional Basque sport of pelota.
with flights both to Miquelon Airport
and several Canadian
airports.
Collectivité d'outre-mer
The French overseas collectivities , like the French regions are first-order administrative divisions of France. The COMs include some former French overseas territories and other French overseas entities with a particular status, all of which became COMs by constitutional reform on 28 March...
of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Saint-Pierre is the more populated of the two communes (municipalities) making up Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
Geography
The commune of Saint-Pierre is made up of the island of Saint-Pierre proper and several nearby smaller islands, such as L'Île-aux-MarinsL'Île-aux-Marins
L'Île-aux-Marins is a small island in the Atlantic Ocean. It is located off the coast of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and was a commune of it until 1945, when it was annexed by the commune of Saint-Pierre. It is long and its width varies between...
. Although containing nearly 90% of the inhabitants of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the commune of Saint-Pierre is considerably smaller than the commune of Miquelon-Langlade
Miquelon-Langlade
Miquelon-Langlade is the less populated of the two communes making up the French overseas collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, in North America. They are located to the south of Newfoundland in the Atlantic Ocean...
, which lies to its northwest.
The main settlement and communal seat is situated on the north side of a harbour called Barachois, which faces the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
, on the Saint-Pierre Island's east coast. The mouth of the harbour is guarded by a small chain of islands.
History
Until 1945, there existed a third commune in Saint Pierre and Miquelon: L'Île-aux-MarinsL'Île-aux-Marins
L'Île-aux-Marins is a small island in the Atlantic Ocean. It is located off the coast of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and was a commune of it until 1945, when it was annexed by the commune of Saint-Pierre. It is long and its width varies between...
. The commune of L'Île-aux-Marins was annexed by the commune of Saint-Pierre in 1945.
Demographics
Population of Saint-Pierre at the 2006 local census was 5,888 http://www.insee.fr/fr/recensement/nouv_recens/resultats/repartition/comD975.htm?depart=comD975.htm, many of whom are of BasqueBasque people
The Basques as an ethnic group, primarily inhabit an area traditionally known as the Basque Country , a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.The Basques are known in the...
, Breton
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
, Normand
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
or Acadian
Acadian
The Acadians are the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who settled in Acadia . Acadia was a colony of New France...
descent. All inhabitants in the commune (municipality) live on the island of Saint-Pierre proper.
Government
The comune is led by the mayor and the councilAdjunct Maire
- Josée Quedinet Detcheverry
- Frédéric Beaumont
- Claude Arrossamena
- Rémi Girardin
- Josée Goupilliere Beaupertuis
- Patrick Lebailly
- Rachel Poueith Andrieux
- Yvon Salomon
- Norbert Hacala
- Thérèse Poirier
- Claudette Franche Ruault
- Jean-François Ozon
- Maryse Gorget Tesniere
- Lydia Desdouets Le Soavec
- Bruno Arthur
- Véronique Girardin
- Jérôme Detcheverry
- Marie-Luce Briand
- Jean-Marie Quedinet
- Michel Jaccachury
- Marie-Claire Rio
- Martine Roiu Michel
Opposition
- Jacqueline Poirier
- MICHEL REVERT Dominica Michel Revert
- Loic Fouchard
- Tatiana Urtizberea
- Tierry Letournel
- Pascal Derouet
Landmarks
Close to the centre of the harbour's edge lie the Post office and Custom House, behind which is General Charles de Gaulle Square, the town's centre.Other prominent landmarks in Saint-Pierre include the cathedral
Saint-Pierre Cathedral
The Church of Saint-Pierre is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Peter situated on the Place Saint Pierre in the center of Caen in Normandy, northern France....
, to the north of the square, rebuilt in the early twentieth century after a major fire, and the Pointe aux Canons Lighthouse, at the mouth of the harbour. Further north, close to the town's hospital, is the Fronton Zazpiak Bat - an arena for the traditional Basque sport of pelota.
Transportation
Saint-Pierre Airport, the international airport of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, is located south of the settlement of Saint-Pierre and is served by Air Saint-PierreAir Saint-Pierre
Air Saint-Pierre is an airline based in Saint-Pierre, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, a French overseas collectivity. The airline operates scheduled services between the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon-Langlade and to Canada. Its main base is Saint-Pierre Airport.- History :Air Saint-Pierre was...
with flights both to Miquelon Airport
Miquelon Airport
There are no direct flights from France. Connecting flights to Paris are made via Montreal's Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.The airport's runways are capable of handling turboprop or small jet aircraft only.- External links :* *...
and several Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
airports.