Shawinigan, Qué, City, pop 17 535 (2001c), 18 943 A (1996c), 19 931 (1991c), area 28.15 km2, inc 1921, home of the Québec chemical industry, is located 30 km northwest of TROIS-RIVIÈRES on the shores of the Rivière SAINT-MAURICE. The name derives from an Algonquin word, meaning "portage on the crest" used to avoid the area's major waterfalls.