Longueuil

Longueuil is a city located in the Montérégie region of Quebec, Canada, and is part of the Greater Montreal area, which includes Montreal, Laval, Brossard, Saint-Lambert, and Boucherville. Longueuil is situated on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River, opposite Montreal, and is connected to the city by the Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine Bridge-Tunnel and the Jacques Chaban-Delmas Bridge. The city is also close to Saint-Hubert, LeMoyne, and Greenfield Park. Longueuil is home to the Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke Montreal Metro station, which provides access to Downtown Montreal and other parts of the city.

Geography

Longueuil is located in the Saint Lawrence River valley, and its geography is characterized by the presence of the Saint Lawrence River and the Rivière Saint-Jacques. The city is also home to several parks and green spaces, including Parc Michel-Chartrand and Parc de la Cité. Longueuil is situated near the Montreal Metropolitan Community, which includes Westmount, Hampstead, Côte Saint-Luc, and Montréal-Est. The city is also close to the Saint Lawrence Seaway, which connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River. Longueuil's geography is also influenced by its proximity to the Appalachian Mountains and the Laurentian Mountains, which are located to the east and north of the city, respectively.

History

The area that is now Longueuil has been inhabited for thousands of years, with the first European settlers arriving in the 17th century. The city was founded in 1657 by Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve, who also founded Montreal. Longueuil was an important center for the fur trade and the timber industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, with the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company operating in the area. The city was also home to several notable figures, including Louis-Joseph Papineau, who played a key role in the Patriote movement, and George-Étienne Cartier, who was a leading figure in the Canadian Confederation. Longueuil is also close to the site of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, which took place in 1759 during the Seven Years' War.

Demographics

As of the 2016 census, the population of Longueuil was 239,319, making it one of the largest cities in Quebec. The city has a diverse population, with a significant proportion of residents identifying as French Canadian, as well as smaller communities of English Canadian, Italian Canadian, and Haitian Canadian residents. Longueuil is also home to a number of First Nations communities, including the Mohawk and the Algonquin. The city is part of the Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne federal electoral district, which is represented in the House of Commons of Canada by Sherry Romanado. Longueuil is also close to the Kahnawake and Kanesatake reserves, which are home to the Mohawk and Algonquin peoples, respectively.

Economy

The economy of Longueuil is diverse, with a mix of industries including manufacturing, technology, and health care. The city is home to a number of major employers, including Bombardier Inc., Pratt & Whitney Canada, and the Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine. Longueuil is also a major transportation hub, with the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport located nearby, as well as the Port of Montreal, which is one of the busiest ports in North America. The city is also close to the Highway 20 (Quebec), which connects Montreal to Quebec City, and the Highway 30 (Quebec), which connects Montreal to Sorel-Tracy. Longueuil is also home to a number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are supported by organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of South Shore.

Infrastructure

Longueuil has a well-developed infrastructure, with a number of major roads and highways, including the Highway 10 (Quebec), which connects Montreal to Sherbrooke, and the Highway 25 (Quebec), which connects Montreal to Laval. The city is also served by the Société de transport de Longueuil (STL), which operates a network of buses and taxis. Longueuil is also home to the Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke Montreal Metro station, which provides access to Downtown Montreal and other parts of the city. The city is also close to the Gare Centrale, which is a major train station that connects Montreal to other cities in Canada and the United States, including New York City and Boston. Longueuil is also served by the Aéroport de Montréal-Mirabel, which is a major cargo airport.

Culture

Longueuil has a rich cultural scene, with a number of museums, galleries, and performance venues. The city is home to the Musée de la ville de Longueuil, which features exhibits on the history and culture of the city, as well as the Théâtre de la ville, which hosts a variety of performances, including theater, music, and dance. Longueuil is also close to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, which is one of the largest and most respected art museums in Canada. The city is also home to a number of festivals and events, including the Festival de musique de Longueuil, which features performances by local and international musicians, and the Fête nationale du Québec, which celebrates the history and culture of Quebec. Longueuil is also close to the Olympic Stadium, which was built for the 1976 Summer Olympics and is now a popular tourist destination.