Québec is Canada's largest Province and consists of hilly agricultural land along the banks of the St Lawrence and vast tracts of barren mountains in the north: a breathtaking panorama of towering rock faces, 6000km (3750 miles) of coastline, looming canyons and craggy fjords. The Province’s 22 natural parks and 14 wildlife reserves provide opportunities for all types of outdoor activities. More than 100,000 lakes provide excellent fishing (chiefly for trout and salmon), whilst in the northern tundra of Québec’s Far North (Nouveau-Québec), caribou and other game roam the land.

What mainly distinguishes Québec from other Canadian Provinces is its French heritage, which has been sustained over around 200 years, despite repeated attempts throughout history by English-speaking nations to capture it. Québec's official language is French and both of its two main cities, Québec City (the Provincial capital) and Montréal (the Province's largest city) are filled with Chateaux and cobblestoned streets.

Indeed, there is debate over whether Québec deliberately isolates itself from the rest of (the predominantly English-speaking) Canada. Nevertheless, two referendums issued last century to determine the fate of the Province returned a 'no' to the issue of separation – although the verdict was extremely close both times.

Regardless of the political situation, Québec offers a friendly welcome to all who visit, and such a welcome precedes a host of delights: the greatest gastronomy in Canada; cosmopolitan shopping; wide, sandy beaches; and excellent facilities for adventures ranging from wintersports, watersports and to hiking.

Geography
The Province of Québec is in the east of Canada, with coasts on the North Atlantic and Hudson and James Bays; the St Lawrence Seaway, the major shipping channel of the Canadian east coast, cuts through the populous south; the cities of Québec and Montréal (Canada’s second-largest city) stand beside it. In the north, the Laurentians resort area has snow-covered mountains in winter and scenic lakes. The far north is a spread of forest and lakes forming one of the largest areas of wilderness in Canada.