What is the largest city in Canada by area?

Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are the first cities that come to mind when people think of Canada’s major urban centers. However, when it comes to land area, the largest municipality with city status in Canada by land area is La Tuque, in Quebec.

While it may not be as wealthy or internationally renowned as Toronto or Montreal, La Tuque is also known for an incredible fact- it is the largest city in terms of area in Canada and one of the largest municipalities in the world by land area.

Overview of La Tuque

La Tuque covers an area of 28,099 square kilometers (10,849 square miles), which is comparable in size to countries such as Albania and larger than Israel.

This city lies on the Saint-Maurice River in the middle of Quebec and is known for its magnificent natural beauty, forests, and shining lakes. La Tuque is an incredibly large area, but there are approximately 10,000 inhabitants, so most of its territory is pure wilderness.

It was only in 1911 that the city officially came into being, although it grew tremendously in 2006 when neighbouring unorganized lands were incorporated into its jurisdiction. This merger officially made La Tuque the largest city in Canada by land area..

Geography and Environment

The Laurentian Mountains, thick boreal forests, and numerous waterways, which include thousands of lakes, rivers, and waterways, dominate the landscape of La Tuque. It is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, and forestry, hydropower, and eco-tourism are the major industries.

The region includes traditional Indigenous territories and long-standing hunting and fishing grounds. Because of its vastness, some areas can only be reached by logging roads, boats, or floatplanes. Her,e wildlife that includes moose, black bears, lynx, and beavers is found, and this makes the area a region rich in boreal ecosystems and wildlife.

Comparison with Other Canadian Cities

To put La Tuque’s size into perspective:

Toronto (Canada's largest city by population): 630 km
Calgary: 825 km
Montreal: 431 km

This means La Tuque is more than 30 times larger than Toronto, yet it has less than 1% of its population. It's a striking example of how vast natural landscapes coexist with small urban centers in Canada.

Top Things to Do in La Tuque

Although La Tuque is a small city, the city has numerous activities and cultural events to be engaged in by tourists who love the outdoors, nature, and Quebecois culture.

Explore Parc des Chutes de la Petite Rivi re Bostonnais

Explore picturesque waterfalls, hiking paths, and panoramic views of green forest valleys. There is also the historic interpretation center about the logging heritage of La Tuque in the park.

Enjoy Water Sports on the Saint-Maurice River

Summer is popular with kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The river sections that are calm are suitable for families, and the rapids are challenging to the more professional paddlers.

Go Snowmobiling and Skiing in Winter

La Tuque is referred to as a snowmobiling heaven that has more than 1,000 km of groomed trails. It is also possible to visit Club Ski La Tuque, where there are cross-country and alpine skiing.

Visit the Domaine de la Bostonnais Historical Site

Discover the cultural heritage of La Tuque in exhibitions, historical log cabin,s and installations of local art in a scenic location near the river.

Experience Indigenous Culture

Close to Indigenous people, there are cultural events, crafts, and nature guided tours, which give a more in-depth insight into the heritage of the First Nations in Quebec.

Enjoy Outdoor Camping and Fishing

La Tuque has thousands of lakes and forested areas, which make it the best place to take a wilderness camping and trophy fishing in Quebec.

In Summary

La Tuque, Quebec, is the largest city in Canada in terms of area, measuring more than 28,000 square kilometers. Canada is a vast natural beauty, and this is manifested through its immense wilderness, forests of plenty, and serene rivers.

La Tuque is symbolic of the northwestern landscape of Canada, with small populations but where adventure and solitude intertwine, and where nature is the most dominant. La Tuque is one of the well-kept secrets by tourists who are in need of serenity, adventure in the wilderness, and a genuine view of the wild Quebec.

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