Brief Description（概要）

Shejapan＞World Heritage＞The Historic district of Quebec

Description Quiz T/F Quiz Multiple choice Quiz

Pre-reading Questions

Location
Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US
Population
32,507,874 (July 2004 est.)
Ethnic groups
British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26%
Religious
Roman Catholic 46%, Protestant 36%, other 18% note: based on the 1991 census
Languages
English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5%
Climate
varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Natural resources
iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower

Reading Passage

Quebec was founded by the French explorer Champlain in the early 17th century. It is the only North American city to have preserved its ramparts, together with the numerous bastions, gates and defensive works which still surround Old Quebec. The Upper Town, built on the cliff, has remained the religious and administrative centre, with its churches, convents and other monuments like the Dauphine Redoubt, the Citadel and Chateau Frontenac. ①Together with the Lower Town and its ancient districts, it forms an urban ensemble which is one of the best examples of a fortified colonial city.

Quebec City's heritage is not all tucked away behind the old stone fortifications. Each neighborhood and district reflects how local history was affected by the diversity of their inhabitants.

All these attractions and historical sites bear witness to the influence of the omnipresent religious orders and institutions on Quebec society. They also underscore Quebec City's strategic military importance on the North American continent, and the role played by museums in preserving and maintaining Quebec culture. Some of these sites were large private estates transformed into public parks and wildlife preserves many years ago, while others consist of conserved or restored historical buildings that serve as reminders of bygone eras.

On July 3, 2008, Quebec City will celebrate its 400^th anniversary since its foundation by French explorer Samuel de Champlain. Few cities in North America have reached this milestone.

When Champlain chose the location of his settlement he named «Kébec» (a word from an Amerindian language meaning «place where the river becomes narrow»), did he suspect that he was establishing the roots of French civilization in the Americas?

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Quebec city was the centre of New France and its enormous territory. At the time, this «empire» covered all of what is known today as Eastern Canada, the Eastern United States, the Great Lakes and Louisiana, extending from Hudson's Bay in the North to Florida in the South.

Champlain chose to build his first «abitation» (dwelling) at the foot of Cape Diamant, in a neighbourhood known today as Place-Royale. The Place-Royale Interpretation Center presents the history of this site, considered the cradle of French civilization in the Americas.

Old Quebec was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. ②The best way to explore this historic neighbourhood is to stroll along its narrow streets lined with stone houses.

Notes

Ramparts　　　城壁

Bastions　　　稜堡

Convents　　　修道院

Dauphine Redoubt　　　ドーファン要塞

Chateau Frontenac　　　シャトーフロントナックホテル

Fortifications　　　要塞

Omnipresent　　　偏在する

Wildlife Preserves　　　野生動物保護区

Dwelling 住居

Cradle　　　発祥地

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