Verchères Explained

Verchères
Settlement Type:Municipality
Pushpin Map:Canada Southern Quebec#Canada Quebec#Canada
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in southern Quebec.
Coordinates:45.7833°N -94°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Type2:Region
Subdivision Name2:Montérégie
Subdivision Type3:RCM
Subdivision Name3:Marguerite-D'Youville
Established Title1:Constituted
Established Date1:September 18, 1971
Government Footnotes:[1] [2]
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Alexandre Bélisle
Leader Title1:Federal riding
Leader Name1:Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères
Leader Title2:Prov. riding
Leader Name2:Verchères
Area Footnotes:[3]
Area Total Km2:85.20
Area Land Km2:72.63
Population Total:5759
Population As Of:2021
Population Density Km2:79.3
Population Blank1 Title:Pop 2016-2021
Population Blank1: 1.3%
Population Blank2 Title:Dwellings
Population Blank2:2453
Timezone:EST
Utc Offset:−5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:−4
Postal Code Type:Postal code(s)
Postal Code:J0L 2R0
Area Codes:450 and 579
Blank Name:Highways
Blank Info:

Verchères is an off-island suburb of Montreal, in Montérégie, Quebec, located on the south bank of the Saint Lawrence River. The population as of the Canada 2021 Census was 5,759.

History

thumb|Welcome sign at the south entrance, along the Marie-Victorin roadthumb|Overview of the magnificent village cemeterythumb|Heritage house along the Marie-Victorin road (route 132)In the 17th century, the settlement at Verchères was the scene of an Iroquois raid that was apparently thwarted by the ingenuity of a 14-year-old girl named Madeleine (now known as Madeleine de Verchères). A cast-iron statue of Madeleine de Verchères stands today by the former location of the settlement stronghold on the shore of the Saint-Lawrence river.

In French, the word Verchères can be used as an adjective to describe a specific type of rowboat invented in Verchères at the end of the 19th century, i.e. chaloupe verchères. A specimen of the rowboat is on permanent outdoor display during the summer and fall at the Parc Jean-Marie Moreau across from the town office.

The motto of Verchères is In Tenebris Lumen Rectis Corde. The streets of Verchères are mostly named after the patronyms of residing families but also after local people who rose to celebrity in Canadian history.

Geography

Verchères is located about 40 km east of Montréal. The municipality is traversed by Road 132, an important road that runs along the St. Lawrence River and connects several municipalities along the south shore. The river plays a significant role in the economy of Verchères, offering picturesque views and opportunities for recreational activities.

The terrain is relatively flat, typical of the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Lowlands, with some gentle elevations and wppded areas. The landscape of Verchères is typically rural, with farmland, natural areas and residential zones.

Demographics

thumb|City Hall of Verchèresthumb|Florentine-Dansereau residence

Language

Canada Census Mother Tongue - Verchères, Quebec
CensusTotal
YearResponsesCountTrendPop % CountTrendPop %CountTrendPop %CountTrendPop %
5,550 0.7%96.4%60 7.7%1.0%50 100.0%0.9%75 0.0%1.3%
5,590 0.8%96.9%65 8.3%1.1%25 0.0%0.4%75 66.7%1.3%
5,545 10.1%97.7%60 50.0%1.1%25 25.0%0.4%45 50.0%0.8%
5,035 8.3%97.1%40 33.3%0.8%20 100.0%0.4%90 125.0%1.7%
4,650 2.3%98.3%30 25.0%0.6%10 n/a%0.2%40 60.0%0.9%
4,760 n/a98.7%40n/a0.8%0n/a0.0%25n/a0.5%

Notable people

See also

External links



Notes and References

  1. http://www.mamrot.gouv.qc.ca/repertoire-des-municipalites/fiche/municipalite/59025/ Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire: Verchères
  2. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/HFER/hfer.asp?Language=E&Search=Det&Include=Y&rid=1191 Parliament of Canada Federal Riding History: VERCHÈRES--LES PATRIOTES (Quebec)
  3. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?LANG=E&GENDERlist=1&STATISTIClist=1,4&DGUIDlist=2021A00052459025&HEADERlist=0&SearchText=Vercheres 2021 Statistics Canada Census Profile: Verchères, Quebec