The sea and the mountains
Weltasualuleg [Welcome] to the home of the people of the sea!
Southern Gaspé, where the Mi’kmaq live, is located very close to the Maritime provinces, so its climate and vegetation are similar to that of Maritimes.
Here in Gaspé, climate, vegetation and fauna vary according to the different natural regions, altitude and whether you live on the coast or in the valley.
The mountain
In the mountainous area, there is a boreal forest which consists of conifers. This is where moose and caribou live. In the Appalachian region, there is more rain and snow. While summer is warm enough, it’s short. Winter is rather harsh and long. If you come to Gaspésie, expect that there will be a lot of wind and fog.
The sea
Temperatures are usually higher at the seashore and in the south in the Baie-des-Chaleurs than temperatures on the banks of the St. Lawrence River and in the mountainous areas. The average temperature of the Mi’kmaq villages is -6° C to -17 ° C in winter. In summer temperatures vary from 10° C to 24° C.
The villages of Restigouche and Maria are located in the Baie-des-Chaleurs whose waters are warmer. It has a microclimate: The temperature is warmer than in the northern part of the Gaspé Peninsula. In Gaspé, a municipality located at the tip of the peninsula bordered by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the bad weather is more frequent, and summer is a little cooler
Near the coast, there is a mixed forest consisting of coniferous and deciduous trees, including birch. Many varieties of birds nest on the shores of the peninsula, including the famous Bonaventure Island Gannet.
The Gaspé Peninsula is crisscrossed by many rivers that are full of fish and famous for salmon fishing. The river and the Gulf are rich with various species of fish and crustaceans. These waters are home to marine mammals including whales, belugas and seals.
