cities

Amqui

Open on map More cities Spin a random place Ask WorldAI

Overview

Amqui is a small city in the Matapédia Valley on Southeastern Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula.

Facts

Rank

—

Coordinates

—

Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia1,205 words

WBP editorial3

River‑side rhythm of daily life

Amqui’s layout follows the Humqui and Matapédia rivers like a natural corridor, shaping where cafés, markets and community halls cluster. Locals treat the riverbanks as extensions of their front yards: morning joggers time their laps to the river’s pulse, and anglers cast from informal wooden piers that have been tweaked over generations. In summer, the water’s ebb creates impromptu skating surfaces, while winter’s freeze draws families to a modest but lively outdoor rink. The rivers also dictate the town’s micro‑climate, offering a gentle humidity that nurtures the surrounding maple groves and makes the air feel unexpectedly mild for a place at 48° north.

Beyond the main road: the Algonquin trail network

While Route 132 is the artery that draws most visitors, Amqui is a gateway to an extensive network of footpaths originally blazed by the Mi’kmaq. These low‑impact trails skirt the wetlands hinted at by the name “boggy,” weaving through alder‑crowned banks and past quiet bird‑watching spots rarely mentioned in guidebooks. Hikers who venture off the paved side streets often discover modest wooden shelters erected by the local outdoor club, offering a place to rest and learn about traditional plant uses. The trails are especially rewarding in early autumn, when the surrounding forests turn amber and the rivers swell with meltwater, providing a nuanced perspective on the region’s ecological heritage.

Seasonal culinary quirks the locals cherish

Amqui’s food scene is anchored not only in classic Quebec fare but also in seasonal ingredients that owe their presence to the town’s waterways and nearby farms. In late spring, a modest fish‑market pops up near the river’s bend, where anglers sell freshly caught trout and pike, often grilled on simple wooden grills for passersby. Summer sees the rise of local berry festivals, with foraged Saskatoon berries infused into desserts that are only available for a few weeks. Autumn brings a subtle shift: the surrounding maple groves yield a modest sap flow, prompting community members to host informal syrup‑tasting gatherings in community centres, a practice that offers a quiet, shared appreciation of the region’s natural cycles.

Introduction

City in Quebec, CanadaAmquiCityAerial view of Amqui Coat of armsLocation within La Matapédia RCM.AmquiLocation in eastern Quebec.Coordinates: 48°28′N 67°26′W / 48.467°N 67.433°W / 48.467; -67.433Country CanadaProvince QuebecRegionBas-Saint-LaurentRCMLa MatapédiaSettled1870sConstitutedJanuary 16, 1991Government • MayorSylvie Blanchette • Federal ridingRimouski—La Matapédia • Prov. ridingMatane-MatapédiaArea • Total126.80 km2 (48.96 sq mi) • Land120.02 km2 (46.34 sq mi)Population (2021) • Total5,999 • Density49.6/km2 (128/sq mi) • Pop 2016-2021 2.9% • Dwellings3,015Time zoneUTC−5 (EST) • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)Postal code(s)G5JArea codes418 and 581Highways R-132 R-195Websitewww.ville.amqui.qc.ca Amqui (/ɒmkwiː/; French: [amkwi] ⓘ) is a town in eastern Quebec, Canada, at the base of the Gaspé peninsula in Bas-Saint-Laurent. Located at the confluence of the Humqui and Matapédia Rivers, it is the seat of La Matapédia Regional County Municipality. The main access road is Quebec Route 132. The Mi'kmaq word amgoig, also written humqui, unkoui and ankwi, means "the place to have fun", "half wall" or "place of amusement and pleasure." Another Mi'kmaq name for the area is Amkooĭk or Mkooögwĭk which aptly describes the area as "boggy." One source postulates that its name comes from the swirling water at the junction of the Humqui and Matapédia rivers. However, the most plausible explanation appears to be more pragmatic: Amqui was formerly a place where Amerindians gathered for pow wows.

History

[edit] Originally Mi'kmaq territory, the area was granted as a seignory by Louis de Buade de Frontenac to Charles-Nicolas-Joseph D'Amours in 1694. D'Amours died in 1728 and none of his descendants claimed the rights to the seigneury. So it remained a remote and undeveloped land until the 19th century. In 1830 construction began on the Kempt Road, a strategic military road between Quebec and the Maritimes, completed in 1833, that opened the area to colonization. But it was the construction of the Intercolonial Railway in the 1870s that brought real development. In 1879, the post office opened under the name Amqui. In 1881, the Mission of Saint-Benoît-Joseph-Labre was established, named after Benedict Joseph Labre. By 1884, the town became known as a great destination for salmon and trout fishing. In 1889, the mission became a parish and the following year it was incorporated as the Parish Municipality of Saint-Benoît-Joseph-Labre. In 1907, the village itself separated from the parish municipality and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Saint-Benoît-Joseph-Labre, renamed to Amqui in 1948. It gained town status in 1961. In January 1991, the Parish Municipality of Saint-Benoît-Joseph-Labre was merged into the Town of Amqui. On March 13, 2023, a pickup truck hit eleven pedestrians along Route 132, killing three people and injuring eight.

Geography

[edit] Amqui is located to the south of the Saint Lawrence River in the Matapédia Valley, which was formed by the Chic-Choc Mountains. The valley is of glacial origin and was formed during the Paleozoic era millions of years ago.[citation needed] The region is characterized by gentle slopes through which the Matapédia river snakes from the northwest to the southeast. The city is located at the confluence of the Humqui and Matapédia rivers. The city is situated 415 km northeast of Quebec City, 345 km west of Gaspé and 80 km north of New Brunswick. Neighbouring urban centres include Rimouski and Mont-Joli, at 105 km and 70 km to the west, respectively, and Matane, 65 km to the north. Amqui is located 25 km east of Sayabec and 20 km northwest of Causapscal, the two largest municipalities of La Matapédia after Amqui. The city borders Saint-Vianney and Saint-Tharcisius to the north, Saint-Alexandre-des-Lacs to the east, Lac-au-Saumon and Saint-Léon-le-Grand to the south, as well as Sainte-Irène and Val-Brillant to the west. The Couturval hamlet is part of Amqui. Climate[edit] Amqui has a humid continental climate (Dfb). Being surrounded by the Chic-Chocs creates unique climatic conditions in the region: a long and snowy winter and a hot and humid summer.[citation needed] Climate data for Amqui, Quebec (1981-2010): 183m Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 11.0(51.8) 12.0(53.6) 16.7(62.1) 28.5(83.3) 32.8(91.0) 33.3(91.9) 33.5(92.3) 33.9(93.0) 32.2(90.0) 24.5(76.1) 18.9(66.0) 17.8(64.0) 33.9(93.0) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −9.9(14.2) −7.8(18.0) −1.7(28.9) 6.1(43.0) 14.2(57.6) 20.2(68.4) 22.8(73.0) 21.5(70.7) 16.1(61.0) 9.1(48.4) 1.2(34.2) −5.9(21.4) 7.2(44.9) Daily mean °C (°F) −15.0(5.0) −13.4(7.9) −7.0(19.4) 1.2(34.2) 8.1(46.6) 13.9(57.0) 17.0(62.6) 15.8(60.4) 10.9(51.6) 4.7(40.5) −2.4(27.7) −10.1(13.8) 2.0(35.6) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −20.0(−4.0) −18.9(−2.0) −12.2(10.0) −3.8(25.2) 2.0(35.6) 7.6(45.7) 11.2(52.2) 10.1(50.2) 5.7(42.3) 0.2(32.4) −5.9(21.4) −14.3(6.3) −3.2(26.3) Record low °C (°F) −40.0(−40.0) −38.9(−38.0) −35.0(−31.0) −28.5(−19.3) −12.2(10.0) −4.5(23.9) 1.0(33.8) −2.2(28.0) −6.0(21.2) −13.5(7.7) −26.0(−14.8) −34.4(−29.9) −40.0(−40.0) Average precipitation mm (inches) 85.3(3.36) 69.5(2.74) 66.5(2.62) 75.9(2.99) 89.5(3.52) 93.3(3.67) 102.1(4.02) 100.5(3.96) 81.6(3.21) 88.0(3.46) 98.2(3.87) 81.8(3.22) 1,032.2(40.64) Average snowfall cm (inches) 75.4(29.7) 63.5(25.0) 51.7(20.4) 30.3(11.9) 3.0(1.2) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.2(0.1) 7.2(2.8) 46.7(18.4) 66.7(26.3) 344.7(135.8) Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 18.3 15.0 14.6 13.6 16.2 14.5 15.7 15.8 16.9 16.5 16.4 17.9 191.4 Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 17.4 13.9 12.8 6.3 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 2.7 9.8 16.8 80.9 Source: Environment Canada

Demographics

[edit] Historical populationYearPop.±%19112,400—    19213,505+46.0%19313,226−8.0%19411,593−50.6%19512,599+63.2%19563,247+24.9%19613,659+12.7%19663,854+5.3%19713,797−1.5%19763,949+4.0%19814,048+2.5%19864,249+5.0%19914,339+2.1%19966,800+56.7%20016,473−4.8%20066,261−3.3%20116,322+1.0%20166,178−2.3%20215,999−2.9% In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Amqui had a population of 5,999 living in 2,846 of its 3,015 total private dwellings, a change of -2.9% from its 2016 population of 6,178. With a land area of 121.02 km2 (46.73 sq mi), it had a population density of 49.6/km2 (128.4/sq mi) in 2021. Canada census – Amqui community profile 202120162011 Population5,999 (-2.9% from 2016)6,178 (-2.3% from 2011)6,322 (+1.0% from 2006) Land area121.02 km2 (46.73 sq mi)121.17 km2 (46.78 sq mi)120.81 km2 (46.65 sq mi) Population density49.6/km2 (128/sq mi)51/km2 (130/sq mi)52.3/km2 (135/sq mi) Median age52.0 (M: 50.4, F: 53.2)48.8 (M: 48, F: 49.7)47.2 (M: 46.2, F: 48.0) Private dwellings3,015 (total)  2,846 (occupied)2,992 (total)  2,925 (total)  Median household income$60,000$49,728$49,702 Notes: Population in 1996: 6,800 (+4.3% from 1991) - Population in 1991: 6,518 References: 2021 2016 2011 According to the Statistics Canada website, 6,090 of Amqui's 6,120 residents speak French as their first language. In addition, 12% can speak both French and English.[citation needed] Mother tongue Population Percentage French 5,755 99.3% English 15 0.3% English and French 10 0.2% Other languages 10 0.2%

Government

[edit] Municipal[edit] Members of the city council are elected every four years on the first Sunday of November and are conducted electronically. It is composed of seven members: Term Role Name 2021-2025 Mayor Sylvie Blanchette Councillor #1 Elaine A. Guilbault #2 Sarah-Josée Fournier #3 Pier-Luc Denoncourt #4 Égide Charest #5 Richard Leclerc #6 Luc Daigle Federal and provincial[edit] Provincially, Amqui is represented by Pascal Bérubé in the Matane-Matapédia electoral district. Federally, the city is represented by Maxime Blanchette-Joncas in the Rimouski—La Matapédia electoral district.

Infrastructure

[edit] Amqui Train StationThe two-storey Amqui railway station built in 1904, is served by Via Rail's Ocean, and Montreal – Gaspé trains (to 2013 when the latter service was suspended). Both trains share the same rail line between Montréal and Matapédia. The building was heritage-designated by the Canadian government under the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act in 1988. The station is representative of the boom at the turn of the century, and the associated expansion of the railways in general, the Intercolonial Railway of Canada (IRC) in particular. Amqui depended on the railway to transport their agricultural products and finished parts made of wood. Subsequently, Amqui became an important stop on the train's route from Montréal to Halifax, and from Montréal to Gaspé. The design of the station Amqui is unusual for a station of the IRC. It is distinguished by its two-storey design, housing the station master and his family on the top floor.