Grosse-Île (, ) is one of two municipalities forming the
urban agglomeration
An urban area is a human settlement with a high population density and an infrastructure of built environment. Urban areas originate through urbanization, and researchers categorize them as cities, towns, conurbations or suburbs. In urbani ...
of
Îles-de-la-Madeleine in
Quebec
Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...
, Canada. It is part of the
Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
() is an administrative region of Quebec consisting of the Gaspé Peninsula () and the . It lies in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence at the eastern extreme of southern Quebec. The predominant economic activities are fishing, forestry and tourism.
...
region, and its population was 464 as of the
2021 Census.
History
As part of a
municipal reorganization across Quebec, the seven communities (Fatima, Grande-Entrée, Grosse-Île, Havre-aux-Maisons, L'Étang-du-Nord, Havre-Aubert, and Cap-aux-Meules) of the
Magdalen Islands
The Magdalen Islands (, ) are a Canadian archipelago in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Since 2005, the 12-island archipelago is divided into two municipalities: the majority-francophone Municipality of Îles-de-la-Madeleine and the majority-angloph ...
amalgamated to form the municipality of
Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine
The Magdalen Islands (, ) are a Canadian archipelago in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Since 2005, the 12-island archipelago is divided into two municipalities: the majority-francophone Municipality of Îles-de-la-Madeleine and the majority-angloph ...
on January 1, 2002. However, after a
2004 referendum, Grosse-Île decided to split from the municipality, effective January 1, 2006.
Located on Grosse-Île island (French for ''Big Island'') between the villages of
Grande-Entrée (south) and
House Harbour (southwest), it was settled during the late 18th century by
Scots. French-speaking people would come and establish themselves just after, as seen by a
Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
parish founded in 1793.
Old Harry is a hamlet and fishing village located within the municipal boundaries of Grosse-Île, which lies at the junction of Île de la Grande Ouverte and Île de l'Est. It was first mapped by
Joseph Frederick Wallet Des Barres (1769 and 1776) and later by Admiral
Henry Wolsey Bayfield (1837), where the name was recorded as Old Harry Head. The
toponym
Toponymy, toponymics, or toponomastics is the study of ''wikt:toponym, toponyms'' (proper names of places, also known as place names and geographic names), including their origins, meanings, usage, and types. ''Toponym'' is the general term for ...
derives from Scotsman Harry Clarke, who was for many years the only occupant of the
cape
A cape is a clothing accessory or a sleeveless outer garment of any length that hangs loosely and connects either at the neck or shoulders. They usually cover the back, shoulders, and arms. They come in a variety of styles and have been used th ...
(or head). Many of his descendants still bear the surname Clarke.
Geography
Grosse-Ile and Entry Island are the two communities where English is the main language spoken, in the field and at sea, the age-old and daily exchanges have created and still create close relationships between the English- and French-speaking communities and individuals of the archipelago.
Demography
Population
Language
Economy
Quebec's only salt mine is located on Grosse Île, and is operated by
Seleine Mines, which is owned by
Windsor Salt.
In 1972, the Société Québécoise d’Exploration Minière (SOQUEM)
discovered 7 salt domes,
including the one at Grosse-Île. In 1982, after investments of C$125 million, Seleine Mines inaugurated an active underground mine on Grosse Île. In 1988, the company was sold to the
Canadian Salt Company (Windsor), and in 2009, the mine passed into the hands of the German group
K+S and later to Stone Canyon Industries.
About 150 people work at Seleine Mines, and every year, more than metric tons of salt are extracted there, this salt is used for road
deicing
De-icing is the process of removing snow, ice or frost from a surface. Anti-icing is the application of chemicals that not only de-ice but also remain on a surface and continue to delay the reformation of ice for a certain period of time, or pr ...
.
Attractions

The Grande Échourie Beach (Former name ''Old-Harry Beach'') stretches over 9 km between Old Harry Point and East Point where is located the
Pointe de l'Est National Wildlife Area, with its unique maritime environment, the area is currently used by more than 150 bird species and 10 or so mammal species.
'
The Pointe de l'Est National Wildlife Area is located on La Grosse Île, the reserve occupies an area of 748 hectares of the village of Grosse-Île territory's
The hamlet of Old-Harry is located on the point of the same name, in the municipality of Grosse-Île, at the junction of Île de la
Grande Entrée and Île de l'Est.
See also
*
List of anglophone communities in Quebec
This is a list of anglophone communities in the Canadian province of Quebec. Municipalities with a high percentage of English-speakers in Quebec are listed.
The provincial average of Quebecers whose mother tongue is English is 7.6%, with a tot ...
*
List of municipalities in Quebec
__FORCETOC__
Quebec is the Population of Canada by province and territory, second-most populous province in Canada with 8,501,833 residents as of 2021 and is the largest in land area at . For statistical purposes, the Provinces and te ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grosse-Ile, Quebec
Incorporated places in Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Municipalities in Quebec
Magdalen Islands