Miramichi is a city in Northumberland County, northeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It is the largest city in northern New Brunswick and is known for its salmon fishing, lumber industry, and shipbuilding history. The city was formed in 1995 through the amalgamation of the towns of Newcastle and Chatham, along with several smaller communities. Miramichi has a rich cultural heritage, with roots in Mi'kmaq, Acadian, English, Scottish, and Irish traditions. The city offers a range of cultural experiences, festivals, and outdoor activities, making it a popular destination for visitors.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Location | Mouth of the Miramichi River, Northumberland County, New Brunswick, Canada |
Population | 17,692 (2021) |
Population Density | 98.8/km2 (2021) |
Gender Ratio | 48.1% male, 51.9% female (2001) |
Median Age | 39.9 years (2001) |
Language | 89.4% English, 8.8% French (2001) |
Religion | 61.8% Roman Catholic, 33.3% Protestant (2001) |
Ethnic Composition | Scottish, Irish, Acadian, English, Mi'kmaq, French |
Main Economic Activities | Mining, fishing, forestry, tourism, customer contact centres, manufacturing, provincial and federal government |
Known For | Salmon fishing, lumber industry, shipbuilding |
What You'll Learn
Miramichi is in Northumberland County, northeastern New Brunswick
Miramichi is a city in Northumberland County, northeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It is the largest city in northern New Brunswick and is located at the mouth of the Miramichi River, where it enters Miramichi Bay. The Miramichi Valley is the second-longest valley in New Brunswick, after the Saint John River Valley.
The city of Miramichi was formed in 1995 through the amalgamation of two towns, Newcastle and Chatham, and several smaller communities, including Douglastown, Loggieville, and Nelson. The city is known for its salmon fishery, lumber industry, and shipbuilding history. It is a cultural hub, offering festivals such as Canada's Irish Festival on the Miramichi and the Miramichi Folksong Festival.
Miramichi has a strong historical connection to the Mi'kmaq First Nation. Before European settlement, the Miramichi region was home to members of the Mi'kmaq people. Beaubears Island, located in the Miramichi River, was a natural meeting point for the Mi'kmaq. The area also has a French colonial history, as it became part of the French colony of Acadia after the European discovery of the Americas.
Today, Miramichi is an industrial and commercial centre, with a focus on the forest industry. It is a port of entry and manufactures pulp and paper, in addition to shipping lumber. The city is known for its salmon sport fisheries, found along the several branches of the Miramichi River.
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The city is a service centre for the county and surrounding regions
Miramichi is a city in Northumberland County, northeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It is the largest city in northern New Brunswick and is located at the mouth of the Miramichi River, where it enters Miramichi Bay. The city is a service centre for the county and surrounding regions.
As a service centre, Miramichi provides essential services to the residents of Northumberland County and the neighbouring areas. The city boasts a range of educational institutions, healthcare facilities, government offices, and retail locations. In terms of education, Miramichi is home to several public schools and a campus of the New Brunswick Community College, catering to the academic needs of its residents. Additionally, Miramichi offers healthcare services through its hospitals and medical centres, ensuring the well-being of the community.
Miramichi also serves as an administrative hub, housing various government offices that facilitate the smooth functioning of the county and its surroundings. This includes municipal and provincial government offices that oversee the region's governance and provide necessary civic amenities. The city's role as a governmental centre is further emphasised by its status as a port of entry, with the necessary infrastructure to support this designation.
Retail and commercial activities are also well-developed in Miramichi. The city features a diverse range of stores and businesses, providing residents and visitors with a variety of shopping and service options. This contributes to the economic vitality of the region and enhances Miramichi's position as a commercial hub.
In addition to its role as a service centre, Miramichi has a rich history and cultural significance. The city was formed in 1995 through the amalgamation of the towns of Newcastle and Chatham, along with several smaller communities. This merger was somewhat controversial due to the strong identities of the original communities. However, it helped establish Miramichi as a prominent city in the province.
The city's economy is primarily focused on industries such as mining, fishing, and forestry. The Miramichi River, renowned for its salmon fishing, plays a central role in the region's economic and cultural life. The city also has a strong Irish influence and is known as Canada's Irish Capital, hosting annual Irish festivals.
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The Miramichi River is the centre of all activity in the city
The Miramichi River is also steeped in history. Before European settlement, the Miramichi region was home to members of the Mi'kmaq First Nation, who used Beaubears Island as a natural meeting point. In the 1640s, Nicolas Denys, Sieur de Fronsac, established a fort and trading post on the Miramichi. In the 1830s, Joseph Cunard used Chatham shipyards to build large ships that carried lumber across the Atlantic to Europe. The Miramichi River and its tributaries were also central to the local pulp and paper industry, with the river's waters being used for transportation and logging.
Today, the river remains an essential part of the city's economy and culture. The Miramichi is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with its trails, parks, and waterways offering a range of recreational activities. The river is also home to several historic sites, including the Boishébert National Historic Site of Canada and the Beaubears Island Shipbuilding National Historic Site of Canada, J. Leonard O'Brien Memorial. The Miramichi River continues to be a vital part of the city's identity, with its name being derived from the Montagnais words "Maissimeu Assi", meaning Mi'kmaq Land.
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The city is one of the largest in the province
Miramichi is a city in Northumberland County, northeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It is one of the largest cities in the province, formed in 1995 through the amalgamation of two towns, Newcastle and Chatham, and several smaller communities. The city is situated at the mouth of the Miramichi River, where it enters Miramichi Bay, and is recognised as the largest city in northern New Brunswick. The Miramichi Valley is the second longest valley in New Brunswick, after the Saint John River Valley.
Miramichi has a rich history that dates back to the Mi'kmaq first nation, who inhabited the region long before European settlement. In the 17th century, the Miramichi region became part of the French colony of Acadia, with French and indigenous inhabitants living together. However, the British conquest during the French and Indian War led to the destruction of Acadian homes and the deportation of residents. Scottish and Loyalist immigration followed, and the area became a part of the British colony of Nova Scotia and later, New Brunswick.
The city's economy has traditionally been centred around the salmon fishery, lumber industry, and shipbuilding. In the 1830s, Joseph Cunard used Chatham shipyards to build large ships for transporting lumber across the Atlantic. Today, Miramichi remains an industrial and commercial centre, focused on the forest industry. It is also a port of entry, manufacturing pulp and paper, and shipping lumber. The city is known for its cultural experiences, festivals, and the nearby salmon sport fisheries along the branches of the Miramichi River.
Miramichi is home to a diverse range of attractions, including historic sites such as Beaubears Island, French Fort Cove, and Middle Island. The city offers recreational activities like whitewater canoeing and kayaking, angling for Atlantic salmon and brook trout, and winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. With its strong cultural roots, Miramichi is known for its storytelling traditions, festivals like Canada's Irish Festival, and its vibrant music scene, including the Miramichi Fiddle Festival.
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Miramichi is known as 'Canada's Irish Capital'
Miramichi, a city in Northumberland County, is located in eastern New Brunswick, Canada. It was formed in 1995 through the amalgamation of the towns of Newcastle and Chatham, along with several smaller communities. Miramichi is the largest city in northern New Brunswick and is situated at the mouth of the Miramichi River, where it flows into Miramichi Bay. The city has strong cultural roots in its founding populations, including the Mi'kmaq, Acadian, English, Scottish, and Irish traditions.
Miramichi is known as Canada's Irish Capital due to its significant Irish population and heritage. The Irish started arriving in Miramichi in large numbers after the Napoleonic War in 1815, and this immigration continued until just before the Great Irish Famine of 1847. The Irish immigrants came voluntarily, seeking better lives, and most arrived from the ports of Belfast and Cork, which had strong commercial ties with the city. While many were Catholic, there were also Protestants among them, and most of their descendants in Miramichi do not openly identify as Irish today. The Irish immigrants settled mainly in the Chatham and Douglastown areas, and while they initially found work in the woods and mills, an economic downturn in 1819 led to layoffs and unrest. However, as the economy improved, the Irish community became well-established, and by the 1870s and 1880s, they represented about 40% of the region's population.
Miramichi's Irish heritage is celebrated annually at Canada's Irish Festival, which attracts over 10,000 visitors. The festival includes music, dancing, exhibits, theatre, and a remembrance of the Irish who perished during the famine. The city is also twinned with County Monaghan in Ireland, with annual exchanges between delegations from both places. The strong Irish presence in Miramichi has influenced the region's accent, setting it apart from other Atlantic Canadian English dialects.
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Frequently asked questions
Miramichi is in Northumberland County, New Brunswick.
Miramichi is known for its world-famous salmon fishing river, its lumber industry, and its shipbuilding history.
As of the 2021 Census of Population, Miramichi had a population of 17,692.