Cap-Chat, Quebec
Encyclopedia
Cap-Chat is a town in the Canadian
province of Québec
, in the Regional County Municipality of Haute-Gaspésie
, and in the administrative region of Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
. Its geographical co-ordinates are lat. 49°6′ N; long. 66°41′ W. Cap-Chat is found 16 km west of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
, and 12 km east of Capucins. , Cap-Chat's population is 2,777.
called Cap-Chat bore a likeness to a cat
("chat" in French
). The other theory is a bit more fanciful. According to a local legend, a cat walking along the shore killed and ate various animals, whereupon the "cat fairy" accused him of having eaten her offspring. For his punishment, the cat was turned into stone for ever.
It seems most likely, however, that the town's name is a corruption of "Aymar de Chaste", who was New France
's lieutenant-general in 1603.
Cap-Chat was one of the prime viewing areas for the total solar eclipse of July 10, 1972. Unfortunately, cloudy skies prevented most observers from viewing the total phase of the eclipse.
Cap-Chat has become synonymous with wind energy
. There is a wind farm
there containing 76 wind generator
s in revenue service. Each one of these is a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT), but there is also to be seen there one called Éole, which is the world's tallest vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) at 110 m. It is capable of producing 4 MW of power. Everything that there is to know about wind power at Cap-Chat may be learnt at the interpretative centre at the wind farm.
Cap-Chat has other things that are worth seeing, such as the aforesaid cat-shaped headland, and a lighthouse
.
Those interested in wilderness and spectacular scenery can explore the areas inland from Cap-Chat, where there was once a village called Saint-Octave-de-l'Avenir (which ironically means Saint Octavius of the Future, though it's long in the past now). 
Salmon
fishing and moose
hunting
are other activities available in the Cap-Chat area, as are hiking
, horseback riding, and off-road four-wheel drive
excursions in the back country.
In winter, Cap-Chat has a downhill skiing centre, as well as trails for cross-country skiing
, snowshoe
ing, and snowmobiling
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Québec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, in the Regional County Municipality of Haute-Gaspésie
La Haute-Gaspésie Regional County Municipality, Quebec
La Haute-Gaspésie is a regional county municipality in eastern Quebec, Canada on the Gaspé peninsula. The regional county municipality seat is in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.-Cities:* Cap-Chat* Sainte-Anne-des-Monts-Municipalities:* La Martre...
, and in the administrative region of Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine is an administrative region of Quebec consisting of the Gaspé Peninsula and the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. It lies in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence at the eastern extreme of Quebec. The predominant economic activities are fishing, forestry and tourism.The administrative region...
. Its geographical co-ordinates are lat. 49°6′ N; long. 66°41′ W. Cap-Chat is found 16 km west of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Quebec
Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is a city in the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region of the province of Quebec in Canada.Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, a small city between mountains and sea, it is on the south shore of the St-Lawrence river estuary.-History:...
, and 12 km east of Capucins. , Cap-Chat's population is 2,777.
History
There are two theories about the origin of the town's name. One simply holds that the headlandHeadlands and bays
Headlands and bays are two related features of the coastal environment.- Geology and geography :Headlands and bays are often found on the same coastline. A bay is surrounded by land on three sides, whereas a headland is surrounded by water on three sides. Headlands are characterized by high,...
called Cap-Chat bore a likeness to a cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
("chat" in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
). The other theory is a bit more fanciful. According to a local legend, a cat walking along the shore killed and ate various animals, whereupon the "cat fairy" accused him of having eaten her offspring. For his punishment, the cat was turned into stone for ever.
It seems most likely, however, that the town's name is a corruption of "Aymar de Chaste", who was New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
's lieutenant-general in 1603.
Cap-Chat was one of the prime viewing areas for the total solar eclipse of July 10, 1972. Unfortunately, cloudy skies prevented most observers from viewing the total phase of the eclipse.
Cap-Chat today
Wind energy
Wind energy is the kinetic energy of air in motion; see also wind power.Total wind energy flowing through an imaginary area A during the time t is:E = ½ m v2 = ½ v 2...
. There is a wind farm
Wind farm
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electric power. A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other...
there containing 76 wind generator
Wind generator
A wind generator is a device that generates electrical power from wind energy.Wind generators have traditionally been wind turbines, i.e. a propeller attached to an electric generator attached to appropriate electronics to attach it to the electrical grid or to charge batteries.Recently, however, a...
s in revenue service. Each one of these is a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT), but there is also to be seen there one called Éole, which is the world's tallest vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) at 110 m. It is capable of producing 4 MW of power. Everything that there is to know about wind power at Cap-Chat may be learnt at the interpretative centre at the wind farm.
Cap-Chat has other things that are worth seeing, such as the aforesaid cat-shaped headland, and a lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
.
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
fishing and moose
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
are other activities available in the Cap-Chat area, as are hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, horseback riding, and off-road four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
excursions in the back country.
In winter, Cap-Chat has a downhill skiing centre, as well as trails for cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
, snowshoe
Snowshoe
A snowshoe is footwear for walking over the snow. Snowshoes work by distributing the weight of the person over a larger area so that the person's foot does not sink completely into the snow, a quality called "flotation"....
ing, and snowmobiling
Snowmobile
A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
.