Saint-Pierre, Saint Pierre and Miquelon

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Administration
Commune of Saint-Pierre

Saint-Pierrais youth off to a football match. As may be seen in this view, many of the streets in Saint-Pierre are a unique blend of rural France and Atlantic Canada, despite their North American context
Location

Coordinates	46°46′40″N, 56°10′40″W
Country	France
Overseas community	Saint Pierre and Miquelon (capital city)
Mayor	Karine Claireaux (2001 – present)
Statistics
Elevation	0 m–207 m
Land area	25 km²
Population^¹ (Jan. 2006 census)	5,509
- Density	220/km² (2006census)
Miscellaneous
INSEE/Postal code	97502/ 97500
¹ Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) only counted once.

Saint-Pierre is the capital of the French overseas collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, off of the coast of Newfoundland in North America. Saint-Pierre is the more populated of the two communes (municipalities) making up Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Government
4 Demographics
5 Landmarks
6 Transportation
7 Radio and television
8 External links

[edit] Geography

The commune of Saint-Pierre is made up of the island of Saint-Pierre proper and several nearby smaller islands, such as L'Île-aux-Marins. Although containing nearly 90% of the inhabitants of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the commune of Saint-Pierre is considerably smaller than the commune of Miquelon-Langlade, which lies to its northwest.

The main settlement and communal seat is situated on the north side of a harbour called Barachois, which faces the Atlantic Ocean, on the Saint-Pierre Island's east coast. The mouth of the harbour is guarded by a small chain of islands.

[edit] History

Until 1945, there existed a third commune in Saint Pierre and Miquelon: L'Île-aux-Marins. The commune of L'Île-aux-Marins was annexed by the commune of Saint-Pierre in 1945.

Saint-Pierre under snow.

[edit] Government

The comune is lead by the mayor and the council

Adjunct Maire

Josée Quedinet Detcheverry
Frédéric Beaumont
Claude Arrossamena
Rémi Girardin
Josée Goupilliere Beaupertuis
Patrick Lebailly
Rachel Poueith Andrieux
Yvon Salomon

Conseillers Municipaux

Norbert Hacala
Thérèse Poirier
Claudette Franche Ruault
Jean-François Ozon
Maryse Gorget Tesniere
Lydia Desdouets Le Soavec
Bruno Arthur
Véronique Girardin
Jérôme Detcheverry
Marie-Luce Briand
Jean-Marie Quedinet
Michel Jaccachury
Marie-Claire Rio
Martine Roiu Michel

Opposition

Jacqueline Poirier
MICHEL REVERT Dominica Michel Revert
Loic Fouchard
Tatiana Urtizberea
Tierry Letournel
Pascal Derouet

[edit] Demographics

Population of Saint-Pierre at the 2006 local census was 5,509 [1], many of whom are of Basque, Breton, Normand or Acadian descent. All inhabitants in the commune (municipality) live on the island of Saint-Pierre proper.

[edit] Landmarks

Général Charles de Gaulle Square; May 13, 2008.

The Cathredal in Saint Pierre; May 12, 2008.

Pointe aux Canons Lighthouse in Saint Pierre.

Fronton Zazpiak Bat arena in Saint-Pierre; May 12, 2008

Close to the centre of the harbour's edge lie the Post office and Custom House, behind which is General Charles de Gaulle Square, the town's centre.

Other prominent landmarks in Saint-Pierre include the cathedral, to the north of the square, rebuilt in the early twentieth century after a major fire, and the Pointe aux Canons Lighthouse, at the mouth of the harbour. Further north, close to the town's hospital, is the Fronton Zazpiak Bat - an arena for the traditional Basque sport of pelota.

[edit] Transportation

Saint Pierre Airport, the international airport of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, is located south of the settlement of Saint-Pierre and is served by Air Saint-Pierre with flights both to Miquelon Airport and several Canadian airports.