Miquelon-Langlade (French pronunciation: [miklɔ̃ lɑ̃ɡlad]) is the larger but less populated of the two communes (municipalities) making up the French overseas collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, located 22 km (14 mi) to the south of Newfoundland in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.[4] It consists of three geological islands: Miquelon, Langlade and Le Cap, connected with tombolos. The communal seat is the settlement of Miquelon, on the northern tip, where the entire island's permanent population of 580 (as of 2019) is located. Miquelon Airport provides flights to Montreal and to nearby Saint-Pierre Airport.
Miquelon island, also known as Grande Miquelon, is situated between Le Cap Island to the north and Langlade island (also called Petite Miquelon) to the south.[5] Miquelon and Langlade are connected by a narrow tombolo (sandy isthmus).
The name Miquelon purportedly derived from a Basque nickname for "Michael" (Mikel). In 1579, the names Micquetõ and Micquelle appeared for the first time in French Basque mariner Martin de Hoyarçabal's maritime pilot. The name evolved over time into Miclon, Micklon, and finally Miquelon (Mikelune in Basque).[3][6]
Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, west of Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula, Miquelon-Langlade covers a total land area of 205 km2 (79 sq mi). It comprises three islands connected by tombolos: Le Cap in the north, Miquelon (Grand Miquelon) in the center, and Langlade (Petite Miquelon) in the south.
A tombolo sandspit called La Dune connects Miquelon and Langlade, that formed in the 18th century that is 12 km (7.5 mi) long and 6 to 100 m (20 to 328 ft) wide.[3][7] In the eighteenth century it was still possible to sail a boat between Miquelon and Langlade, but by the end of that century La Dune had closed in to form an isthmus between the islands.[8]
The tombolo connecting Miquelon and Le Cap is 3 km (1.9 mi) long and in places less than 100 m (330 ft) wide.
The island of Saint Pierre is across a treacherous and foggy 6 km (3.7 mi) strait that fishermen named "The Mouth of Hell" (French: La Gueule de L'Enfer) that has been the site of more than 600 shipwrecks.[3][9]
Miquelon's coastline includes numerous sand and pebble beaches enclosing lagoons, as well as high rocky cliffs standing up to 25 m (82 ft) on the east coast. Its geology consists of slightly metamorphosed post-Ordovician volcanic rocks, mainly rhyolites with breccias, andesites and basalts. On the south of the Miquelon Island is the Grand Barachois, a large lagoon which is host to a large population of seals and other wildlife. Miquelon is also a well known destination for bird watching.[5]
Located at 3 mi (4.8 km) west of Saint Pierre Island, Langlade is an ancient peneplain drained by numerous short rivers, including the Belle, the largest, which flows to the northwest.[10] The coast of Langlade is lined with steep cliffs, except to the northwest.
The climate is typical of the North Atlantic and the Labrador Current, with frequent storms and winds that exceed 60 km/h (37 mph) for nearly six months of the year. The summers are cool and foggy. The average annual temperature is 5.5 °C (41.9 °F).[5] Köppen–Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as sub-Arctic (Dfc).[11] Summers are mild while winters are cold. It receives precipitation all year.
The name Miquelon is of Basque origin and is thought to mean "Michael", as several fishermen with this name were established in the island. In 1579, the names Micquetõ, Micquelle appeared for the first time in Martin de Hoyarçabal's navigational pilot. The name evolved over time into Miclon, Micklon, and finally Miquelon.
The residents are known as Miquelonnais(e)(s).[13]
Miquelon-Langlade consists of the commune (also called Miquelon-Langlade), with a population of 626 in 2012. The majority of the residents live in the village of Miquelon, located in the north of the island near Le Cap, [13] north of a shallow lagoon (barachois) and has a small harbour protected with constructed breakwaters along the eastern side of the isthmus.
On the northern coast of Langlade, there are settlements at the coves of Anse du Gouvernement, Anse aux Soldats and Le Ruisseau Debons, consisting mainly of holiday cottages.[14][15]
The population of Miquelon-Langlade is mainly of Basque and Acadian ancestry.
Miquelon Airport is located adjacent to Miquelon village; Air Saint-Pierre operates regularly scheduled daily flights to Saint-Pierre Airport.
SPM Ferries provides service to and from Saint Pierre town from both Miquelon village and Anse du Gouvernement on Langlade. SPM also connects Miquelon town directly with Fortune, Newfoundland, Canada once or twice weekly. A ferry service connects Miquelon town with Anse du Gouvernement on Langlade in summer months.[16]
The main asphalt road runs from the capital along the eastern coast of Miquelon, across the Langlade tombolo and ending in Le Ruisseau Debons on Langlade.
The government high school / sixth-form programmes serving Miquelon are at Lycée-Collège d'État Émile Letournel on Saint-Pierre island.
The Maison de la Nature et de L'Environnement ("Nature and Environment Center") provides self-guided tours of both the Cormorandière Valley and of the whole island. It hosts the art/craft vendor Art passion. Its Centre d'interprétation ("interpretation centre") features exhibits on geography, climate, biodiversity, and history through and interactive permanent axibilts that leads visitors through nature habitats.[19]
The Musée de Miquelon ("museum of Miquelon") explains the origin of the island's people, including objects, customs and activities.[19]
In summer, Saveurs Fermièrres ("farm flavours"), a goat farm, teaches about goats and cheesemaking, and offers tastings of local farm products.[19]
There are numerous hiking routes: Le Chemin des Boeufs, Pointe Plate, Les Buttes dégarnies et la Grand Barachois, Belliveau, Le Cap de Miquelon, La Tête Pelé, and Les Trois Sapins. There is a nature observatory Observatoire du Grand Barachois and several camping areas including Mirande and Trois Sapins.[19][20]
At Miquelon village other facilities include (as of 2024):[19]
At Anse du Gouvernement on Langlade as of 2024, there is a bar, ferry station, grocery store, health care point, public restroom and restaurant, as well as the Sainte-Thérèse Roman Catholic chapel and the Centre de vacances de Langlade summer camp.[19]
