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"I am a bit embarrassed that I did not know this. I love pouring maple syrup over my Belgian waffles, pancakes and French toast. However, I had no idea that Canada produces about 70% of the world’s pure maple syrup. Out of that 70% about 90% is from the province of Quebec. Most of the maple syrup produced in the U.S. comes from Vermont. Here are some numbers to give you an idea of how much maple syrup is produced in Quebec. In 2010 the Province of Quebec produced roughly 7, 989, 000 gallons of maple syrup while Vermont produced roughly 890,000 gallons."

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In May I had the pleasure of traveling to Quebec City in Canada for the first time. I attended the Women in Travel Summit. The conference organizers picked a beautiful place for this conference. Not only was the city picturesque but the food was amazing as well. While in Quebec City, I found so many things to be enchanting and interesting. While I usually write long travel guides to destinations, I thought I would share 15 fun Quebec City facts instead. I hope you enjoy it and add Quebec City to your travel bucket list.

Quebec City Facts to Know:

1: This may be confusing but follow closely...Quebec City is also known simply as Quebec.

It is located in the Canadian province of Quebec. It is the capital city of this province and the second largest city located there. Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec. Other Canadian provinces you may be familiar with are Ontario, Alberta and Newfoundland.

2. Quebec is a French speaking province.

French is the official language of this province. Approximately 80 % of the residents speak French as their native language and close to 95% of "Quebecers" speak French. If you hear the term "Francophone" it refers to someone who speaks French as their native language. It is the oldest French speaking place in North America. However, English is spoken by most residents as well. I didn't encounter any locals during my visit that did not speak English.

3. Quebec City was founded in 1608.

Old Quebec is surrounded by fortified city walls that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, making this one of my most historic Quebec City facts.

4. The Chateau Frontenac Hotel holds the Guinness World Record for the most photographed hotel in the world!

Our conference was held in the iconic Chateau Frontenac Hotel. It is currently managed by Fairmont Hotels. When I first saw pictures of this hotel I knew I had to stay there. It was absolutely stunning on the outside and on the inside. I can see why it's the most photographed hotel in the world! Plan to stay there if you can.

5. Quebec produces a LOT of maple syrup.

I am a bit embarrassed that I did not know this. I love pouring maple syrup over my Belgian waffles, pancakes and French toast. However, I had no idea that Canada produces about 70% of the world's pure maple syrup. Out of that 70% about 90% is from the province of Quebec. Most of the maple syrup produced in the U.S. comes from Vermont. Here are some numbers to give you an idea of how much maple syrup is produced in Quebec. In 2010 the Province of Quebec produced roughly 7, 989, 000 gallons of maple syrup while Vermont produced roughly 890,000 gallons.

6. Poutine originated in Quebec.

I have heard about the Canadian dish Poutine for years but I have never tried it. Although I have seen it on menus in America, I wanted to try this Canadian dish for the first time in Canada. Poutine originated in the Quebec region. It consists of French fries, gravy and cheese curds. I know that doesn't sound very appetizing (or maybe it does 🙂 During the Saint-Roch walking food tour that I did in Quebec City, we were able to try it at the first place that served it in the area-Chez Ashton. To my surprise I liked it! I do love French fries and cheese and although I am not a fan of gravy it didn't make the fries soggy. It tasted like good comfort food.

7. Quebec isn't just French... there are many Irish people here too!

While strolling around Old Quebec I noticed a lot of Irish pubs. I even took the picture below in front of one. Well, I did some research and thanks to Travel and Leisure I realized I was onto something. There is actually a large Irish community in Quebec. During the 17 th century, Irish inhabitants of France were sent to Quebec to help populate the area. Historians estimate that about 40% of the population in Quebec is of Irish descent.

8. The Quebec Winter Carnival Festival known as "Carnaval" is the largest winter festival in the world.

In 2006 1 million people attended this festival which gave it this distinction.

9. Quebec City has close to 30 sets of stairs!

You may run out of breath just climbing up and down the cobblestone streets. Be prepared and bring comfortable walking shoes.

10. You can sleep in a nun's cell in Old Quebec!

In the 1600s Augustine nuns established a hospital in Old Quebec. Hotel-Dieu de Quebec National Historic Site of Canada is a religious and hospital complex that was the first of its kind on the North American continent north of Mexico. Part of this complex is now a wellness hotel. My friend Olivia Christine of O.Christine Blog stayed at this hotel during the Women in Travel Summit and wrote about her experience.

11. Although Paris is well known for its Notre-Dame Cathedral, there is also the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Quebec.

The name stands for "Our Lady of Quebec City". The Roman Catholic Archdiocese that resides here is the oldest north of Spanish colonies in New Mexico and Florida. It is a National Historic Site of Canada and part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Quebec.

12. Double-check your t-shirts here

Lately while traveling I have enjoyed taking pictures of T-shirts in shop windows. I like reading what the popular sayings are for that area. While in Quebec City I took the picture below. I got a kick out of "Straight out of Quebec" :-). I do not speak French so I did not know the meaning of the French sayings. Well, my Facebook readers told me that 2 of them were curse words. After some research, I learned that many Quebec profanities are derived from Catholicism. They are called "sacres"-translaton to consecrate. "Tabarnacle", derived from tabernacle, is used by French Canadians as an insult. It is a loose equivalent to the "F" word in English. "Calice" is the French word for chalice. Saying just "calice" is the equivalent of saying "damn". "J'Men Calice" could mean "I don't give a damn" or "I chalice myself". Both terms can be used together as in "calice de tabernacle"! So, now you know how to swear like a Quebecer.

13. The first commercial brewery in Canada was started in Quebec City by Jean Talon in 1668.

It was called "La Brasseries du Roi" which means "the kings brewery". During this time there was a lack of safe drinking water and a surplus of grain. FYI: The legal drinking age in Quebec and Quebec City is 18yo vs 21yo in the United States. This is something to keep in mind if you are planning a multi-generational trip.

14. There are waterfalls in Quebec City

The Montmorency Falls is located on the Montmorency River in Montmorency Park. It is roughly 7.5 miles from Old Quebec. Here is the fun fact: the falls are about 270 feet tall which makes it about 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls.

15. Since I love culinary travel I am ending with a fun food fact. Quebec has their own version of Shepard's Pie.

It is called "Pate chinois" which means "Chinese pie". However, there is nothing Chinese about it. I have read several different versions of how this pie got its name. One theory is that Chinese cooks made it for French Canadian workers during the building of the North American railroads. The French Canadians enjoyed it so much that they brought it back to their communities. I did not get to try this dish but it is on my list for next time.

Honorable mention goes to the funicular! I didn't get to ride it this time but it deserves mention as one of the fun Quebec City facts.

I hope you have enjoyed these 15 fun Quebec City facts. As you can tell, I love delving into the history, culture and food of any place I travel to.

Don't leave without checking out my other posts on my trip to Quebec City. Saint-Roch Walking Food Tour in Quebec City and 2018 Women in Travel Summit-Tips & Advice from First-Timers.

Have you been to Quebec or Quebec City? If so share your thoughts with us below. For more information visit their website.

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15 Fun Quebec City Facts - The Sophisticated Life

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In May I had the pleasure of traveling to Quebec City in Canada for the first time. I attended the Women in Travel Summit. The conference organizers picked a beautiful place for this conference. Not only was the city picturesque but the food was amazing as well.

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A major cultural highlight of Quebec is the February Winter Carnival.

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the main body of water is the St.Lawrence River.

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Old quebec is a gorgeous place to go in quebec city!

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Old Town Quebec City Old Quebec City Streets Old Quebec Canada Old Quebec City Girls Old Quebec Buildings Downtown Old Quebec Historic Quebec City Quebec City Summer Old Quebec Map Old Quebec City Lodging Christmas in Old Quebec Visit Quebec City Quebec City Attractions Quebec Wall Old Quebec Winter Old

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The website below lists the industries.

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Receive a review of the region's economic news and a list of upcoming activities on business and entrepreneurship. You can also discover the Québec City region from a new perspective.

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Subscribe to our newsletter! Receive a review of the region's economic news and a list of upcoming activities on business and entrepreneurship. You can also discover the Québec City region from a new perspective.

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Jul. 3, 1608

As of July 2016 the city had a population of 531,902

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Quebec City - Official Quebec City Website

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The Canadian Shield formed over 3 billion years through processes such as plate tectonics, erosion and glaciation. Plate tectonics refers to the movement and collision of the Earth’s outer crust. When these crustal plates collide they may weld together, forming larger landmasses.

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The population density is about 1094.9/km2

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Quebec City is near water.

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Quebec City has four distinct seasons and can be compared to Montreal, Toronto, or Chicago in terms of climate. Like its big city neighbors, Quebec City is totally transformed as its enveloped by the changing seasons; the city becomes a frigid winter wonderland in December and the cold weather lasts into springtime with the temperature dropping to around 17 degrees F (-8 degrees C), but the dog days of summer can see up highs of 80 degrees F (27 degrees C) and over 16 hours of full sunlight.

Each season comes with its own distinct vibe and set of activities. Whether you're in search of wintertime festivities or you prefer to kick back with a beer in the beating sun, here's everything you need to know about the climate in Quebec City.

Fast Climate Facts:

Hottest Month: July (77 degrees F / 25 degrees C)

Coldest Month: January (17 degrees F / -8 degrees C)

Wettest Month: September (4.8 inches)

Spring in Quebec City

As the snow begins to melt and the temperature slowly starts to rise, spring in Quebec City strikes a happy medium between winter wonderland and rain season. More often than not, winter weather will persist well into April, with true spring weather not surfacing until May, when the weather takes a warm turn almost overnight. Spring is sugaring-off season in Quebec, when locals and visitors take advantage of the last bit of chill in the air by heading inside to a cabane à sucre (sugar shack) for a hearty French Canadian meal, complete with fresh maple syrup, folk music, and an overall sense of hygge.

What to pack: Even during spring in Quebec City, you'll want to pack your warmest winter attire; especially if you're not used to frigid Canadian winters. If you're visiting in May, a lighter jacket or raincoat will likely suffice but make sure to pack a scarf, hat, and warm gloves just in case. Throughout the season, we suggest dressing in layers-Quebec is known for chilly mornings and hot afternoons.

Summer in Quebec City

In summer, Quebec City really comes to life-locals officially come out of winter hibernation and the city is buzzing with activity; from festivals to drinks on a streetside terrasse. Quebec City is generally warm and humid, with July being the warmest and sunniest month. Keep in that the city is not immune to heatwaves, which can mean hot weather and afternoon thunderstorms.

What to pack: By the time summer finally rolls around, lighter options like shorts and dresses should suffice, but we still recommend packing a sweater or light jacket if you plan to be out after dark, when temperatures can drop quite dramatically. The days are long and bright in the summer, so be sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat if you're sensitive to the sun's rays.

Fall in Quebec City

Fall in Quebec City-especially in October when the leaves are bursting with a spectrum of yellows, oranges, and reds-is one of the most beautiful times of year. It also happens to be the perfect temperature for more vigorous outdoor activities like hiking or cycling, with an average temperature of about 52 degrees F (11 degrees C). November, on the other hand, generally brings the first signs of winter, with shorter days and a significant dip in temperature.

What to pack: Because of the unpredictable dips in temperature, plan on packing clothing that can be layered, like long-sleeved shirts, flannel, down-filled vests, and long pants. We also recommend bringing cold weather accessories; a warm scarf, beanie, and light gloves should do the trick. If you're visiting in November, consider bringing a heavier jacket and insulated boots; late November gets an average of 12.9 inches (32.8 cm) of snow each year.

Winter in Quebec City

While it's often described as a winter wonderland, there's really no way around it-winter in Quebec City is long, cold, and dark. Beginning in mid-November and running until the end of March, if you're planning on traveling to Quebec City in the winter, be prepared for frequent bouts of heavy snow and frigid temperatures; in 2015 the city dropped to a freezing -34 degrees F (-37 degrees C).

What to pack: It may seem excessive, but if you want to enjoy your trip to Quebec City during the winter, you'll want to pack as if you're preparing for an Arctic expedition. Start with long-sleeved shirts and sweaters that can be layered, a down-filled vest, and a heavy wool or down jacket. Be sure to pack long johns for layering and warm pants to wear over them. Bring heavy duty work socks that can be layered over smaller socks and insulated boots in case you're caught in a snowstorm, and of course winter accessories; a scarf that can be wrapped around your face, hat, ear muffs, and insulated gloves should suffice.

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Quebec City has four distinct seasons and can be compared to Montreal, Toronto, or Chicago in terms of climate.

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Very recently, Halloween this year, Quebec city had a stabbing.

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The Lethbridge Herald - News and Sports from around Lethbridge

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By The Canadian Press on November 5, 2020.

QUEBEC - The man charged in connection with a Halloween night sword attack in Quebec City is due back in court today.

Carl Girouard is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder stemming from what police have described as a series of random attacks in Old Quebec.

A man dressed in a medieval costume and wielding a Japanese-style sword went on a rampage late Saturday night before being chased down on foot and arrested by police a few hours later.

The 24-year-old Girouard appeared briefly before a judge via video conference on Sunday afternoon before his case was put off to today.

The two people who died were Francois Duchesne, 56, a museum employee, and Suzanne Clermont, 61, a hairdresser.

The identities of the five other victims, who are expected to survive, are subject to a court-ordered publication ban.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2020.

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Quebec City stabbing suspect charged with first-degree murder to appear in court

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By The Canadian Press on November 5, 2020. QUEBEC - The man charged in connection with a Halloween night sword attack in Quebec City is due back in court today. Carl Girouard is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder stemming from what police have described as a series of random attacks in Old Quebec.

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Things like earthquakes, tornadoes, flooding or ice storms are most likely to happen in quebec

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The coordinates of Quebec city are
46.817° N, -71.217° E