Chibougamau
Chibougamau (French pronunciation: [ʃibuɡamo]) is the largest town in Nord-du-Québec, central Quebec, Canada. Located on Lake Gilman, it has a population of 7,504 people (2016 Canadian Census). Chibougamau is surrounded by, but not part of, the local municipality of Eeyou Istchee James Bay.
Chibougamau | |
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Chibougamau main street | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Chibougamau Location in Quebec Chibougamau Chibougamau (Canada) | |
| Coordinates (650, 3e Rue): 49°55′N 74°22′W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Nord-du-Québec |
| RCM | None |
| Settled | 1952 |
| Constituted | November 8, 1952 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Manon Cyr |
| • Federal riding | Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou |
| • Prov. riding | Ungava |
| Area (2021) | |
| • Total | 1,039.89 km2 (401.50 sq mi) |
| • Land | 698.13 km2 (269.55 sq mi) |
| • Water | 341.76 km2 (131.95 sq mi) |
| Population (2021) | |
| • Total | 7,233 |
| • Density | 10.4/km2 (27/sq mi) |
| • Change (2016–21) | 3.6% |
| • Dwellings | 3,557 |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) |
| Postal code(s) | G8P |
| Area code(s) | 418 and 581 |
| Climate | Dfc |
| Website | www |
Its remoteness from Lac Saint-Jean (over 200 km (124 mi) south-east) and Abitibi-Témiscamingue (over 250 km (155 mi) south-west) areas causes to Chibougamau provide services for a few smaller communities surrounding it (Mistissini, Oujé-Bougoumou, and Chapais) and for the regional resource-based industries. Despite Chibougamau's remoteness, it is only about as far north as Winnipeg and is south of any part of the mainland of England.
Nearby is Lac Aux Dorés, which is fed by the Chibougamau River from the larger Chibougamau Lake after which the town was named. Chibougamau means "gathering place" in the Cree language. The neighbouring Cree village of Oujé-Bougoumou has the same name with a more traditional Cree spelling.
The area surrounding Lake Gilman is Obalski Park. Its many amenities include a beach, pier, picnic tables,and cabins. The many trails allow for hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, or even snowmobiling through the park's boreal forest.
Access to the town is by Route 167 from Lac Saint-Jean and by Route 113 from Lebel-sur-Quévillon. Chibougamau's airport is along Route 113, about halfway to Chapais.