Miquelon (French: Île Miquelon) also known as Grande Miquelon, is one of the islands of the archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, an Overseas collectivity of France located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the Atlantic Ocean, 22 km (14 mi) south of the coast of Newfoundland. Miquelon is situated between Le Cap Island to the north and Langlade Island (also called Petite Miquelon) to the south.[1]

Miquelon

Native name: Île Miquelon
Miquelon Island in the center, south of Le Cap and north of Langlade Island
Miquelon
Geography
Location	Atlantic Ocean
Coordinates	47°03′26.1″N 56°20′19.2″W
Archipelago	Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Adjacent to	Gulf of Saint Lawrence
Area	110 km2 (42 sq mi)
Highest point	Morne de la Grande Montagne (240 m (790 ft))
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity	Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Largest Commune	Miquelon-Langlade
Demographics
Demonym	Miquelonnais
Population	626 (2012)
Languages	French
Additional information
Official website	http://www.miquelon-langlade.com

Toponymy

The name Miquelon purportedly derived from a Basque nickname for "Michael" (Mikel). In 1579, the names Micquetõ and Micquelle appeared for the first time in French Basque mariner Martin de Hoyarçabal's maritime pilot. The name evolved over time into Miclon, Micklon, and finally Miquelon (Mikelune in Basque).[2][3]

Geography

Miquelon's coastline includes numerous sand and pebble beaches enclosing lagoons, as well as high rocky cliffs standing up to 25 m (82 ft) on the east coast. Its geology consists of slightly metamorphosed post-Ordovician volcanic rocks, mainly rhyolites with breccias, andesites and basalts. On the south of the Miquelon Island is the Grand Barachois, a large lagoon which is host to a large population of seals and other wildlife. Miquelon is also a well known destination for bird watching.[1]

Miquelon is connected to Le Cap by a tombolo 3 km (1.9 mi) long and in places less than 100 m (330 ft) wide. To the south, Miquelon is connected to Langlade Island by a sandy isthmus that formed in the 18th century that is 12 km (7.5 mi) long and 100 to 6 m (328 to 20 ft) wide.[2]

The island of Saint Pierre Island is across a treacherous and foggy 6 km (3.7 mi) strait that fishermen named "The Mouth of Hell" (French: La Gueule de L'Enfer) that has been the site of more than 600 shipwrecks.[2][4]

Climate

The climate is typical of the North Atlantic and the Labrador Current, with frequent storms and winds that exceed 60 km/h (37 mph) for nearly six months of the year. The summers are cool and foggy. The average annual temperature is 5.5 °C (41.9 °F).[1]

Population

Miquelon includes the commune of Miquelon-Langlade, with a population of 626 in 2012. Miquelon Airport serves the population via turboprop or small jet aircraft. The majority of the residents live in the town also called Miquelon, located in the north of the island near La Cap. The residents are known as Miquelonnais and are citizens of France.[5]

Gallery

• 
  Miquelon shore
• 
  The north coast of Miquelon, next to Le Cap
• 
  The village of Miquelon seen from the west
• 
  House in the village
• 
  Milestone to Miquelon
• 
  The port of Miquelon
• 
  Acadien monument

See also

• History of Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• List of islands of France
• List of islands in the Atlantic Ocean

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Miquelon.

• Official website

На других языках

[es] Isla de Miquelón

[fr] Miquelon

[ru] Микелон