Cap-Chat, Quebec

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Ville de Cap-Chat
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flagicon|Canada Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = flagicon|Quebec Quebec
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
subdivision_type3 = RCM
subdivision_name3 = La Haute-Gaspésie
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leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Judes Landry
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established_title3 = Constitution
established_date3 = Mars 5th, 2000
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unit_pref = Metric
area_footnotes =cite web
url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=302&SR=101&S=1&O=A&RPP=25&PR=24&CMA=0
title = Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data
work = Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population
date = 2007-03-13
accessdate = 2007-08-09]
area_total_km2 =
area_land_km2 = 181.89
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population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =cite web
url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=302&SR=101&S=1&O=A&RPP=25&PR=24&CMA=0
title = Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data
work = Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population
date = 2007-03-13
accessdate = 2007-08-09]
population_note =
population_total = 2777
population_density_km2 = 15.3
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timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd=49 |latm=06 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=66 |longm=41 |longs= |longEW=W
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postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = G0J 1E0
area_code = 418
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Cap-Chat is a town in the Canadian province of Québec, in the Regional County Municipality of Haute-Gaspésie, and in the administrative region of Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Its geographical co-ordinates are lat. 49°6′ N; long. 66°41′ W. Cap-Chat is found 16 km west of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, and 12 km east of Capucins. As of 2006, Cap-Chat's population is 2,777cite web
url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=302&SR=101&S=1&O=A&RPP=25&PR=24&CMA=0
title = Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data
work = Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population
date = 2007-03-13
accessdate = 2007-08-09] .

History

There are two theories about the origin of the town's name. One simply holds that the headland called Cap-Chat bore a likeness to a cat ("chat" in French). The other theory is a bit more fanciful. According to a local legend, a cat walking along the shore killed and ate various animals, whereupon the "cat fairy" accused him of having eaten her offspring. For his punishment, the cat was turned into stone for ever.

It seems most likely, however, that the town's name is a corruption of "Aymar de Chaste", who was New France's lieutenant-general in 1603.

Cap-Chat was one of the prime viewing areas for the total solar eclipse of July 10, 1972. Unfortunately, cloudy skies prevented most observers from viewing the total phase of the eclipse.

Cap-Chat today

Cap-Chat has become synonymous with wind energy. There is a wind farm there containing 76 wind generators in revenue service. Each one of these is a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT), but there is also to be seen there one called Éole, which is the world's tallest vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) at 110 m. It is capable of producing 4 MW of power. Everything that there is to know about wind power at Cap-Chat may be learnt at the interpretative centre at the wind farm.

Cap-Chat has other things that are worth seeing, such as the aforesaid cat-shaped headland, and a lighthouse.

Those interested in wilderness and spectacular scenery can explore the areas inland from Cap-Chat, where there was once a village called Saint-Octave-de-l'Avenir (which ironically means Saint Octavius of the Future, though it's long in the past now). excursions in the back country.

In winter, Cap-Chat has a downhill skiing centre, as well as trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

External links

* [http://www.info-gaspesie.com/villages/haute_gaspesie/cap-chat/cap-chat.php Cap-Chat tourism site]
* [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&searchtype=address&country=CA&addtohistory=&1ahXX=&address=&city=Cap-Chat&state=QC&zipcode= Cap-Chat at "MapQuest"]
* [http://www.gaspesia.com/ville.php Municipalities and cities of Gaspé region]

References