Matagami, Quebec

Infobox City
official_name = City of Matagami
other_name = Ville de Matagami
native_name =
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image_caption = View of Matagami


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Quebec
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Nord-du-Québec
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
subdivision_type4 =
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government_type = City
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = René Dubé
leader_title1 = Governing Body
leader_name1 = Matagami City Council
leader_title2 =MP
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =MPP
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established_title = Established
established_date = 1963
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area_total_km2 =66.85
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population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =ref label|Stats_Canada|1|1(sc)
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settlement_type = Township
population_total =1555
population_density_km2 =23.3
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timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
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postal_code_type = Postal code span
postal_code =
area_code =819
website = [http://www.matagami.com/ Ville de Matagami]
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Matagami is a small town in Quebec, Canada. It is located north of Amos, on Matagami Lake, and marks the start of the "Route de la Baie James" (James Bay Road). The town had a population of 1,555 in the Canada 2006 Census.

History

Matagami was founded in 1963 with the development of mining in the area. Previously, it existed only as a very small prospecting camp accessible only by float plane, but after a viable mineral deposit was found in the late 1950s a permanent settlement began to be established. In 1962, the Quebec Toponomy Commission attempted to name the new community Mazenod after Charles-Joseph-Eugène de Mazenod, the founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, but after a public outcry by local residents the community was named after Matagami Lake.

The name Matagami means "the confluence of waters" in the Cree language. [http://www.matagami.com/en/histo2.html Matagami :..: ] ]

The first church service in Matagami was held on April 17, 1962.

Economy

In addition to mining, logging has also become a major contributor to the local economy. The two primary employers in the city are Xstrata and Domtar.

The community is also one of the distribution points for goods and services to the James Bay Hydroelectric Project. As well, Matagami has a small tourism industry due to the popularity of fishing in northern Quebec. Hotel Bell and Motel Matagami include full service bars.

Media

Matagami is served by a community radio station, CHEF-FM, as well as by a rebroadcaster of Première Chaîne's CBF-FM.

Notable people

Matagami is the birthplace of Canadian swimmer Marianne Limpert, who won the silver medal in the 200m Individual Medley at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

References

External links

* [http://www.matagami.com/ Ville de Matagami]