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Matane

Matane is a city in eastern Quebec, Canada, on the south shore of the St.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Matane is a city in eastern Quebec, Canada, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River estuary at the mouth of the Matane River. It is the seat of the La Matanie Regional County Municipality and functions as a regional service, transport, and industrial centre.

Geography

Matane lies on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River estuary at the mouth of the Matane River, in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec. It is commonly described as a gateway to the Gaspé Peninsula.

History

Sources describe early Indigenous use of the area, later French contact, and gradual settlement linked to fishing and agriculture. The town grew more strongly with forestry and forest-product industries, and later with its role as a regional port and service centre.

Economy

Matane has long been associated with port activity, forestry, and related manufacturing. Fishing, including shrimp and salmon, also remains important in the surrounding area.

Demographics

Matane is a mid-sized city in eastern Quebec. Statistics Canada reported a population of 18,474 in 2021, while other sources describe it as one of the main urban centres of the Gaspésie region.

Key facts

  • Matane is located in eastern Quebec on the Gaspé Peninsula, beside the St. Lawrence River estuary.
  • It is the seat of the La Matanie Regional County Municipality.
  • The city has served as a transportation and commercial centre, including a pulp-shipping port and rail-ferry connections.
  • Its economy has historically included lumbering, woodworking, furniture making, flour milling, tanning, and fishing.
  • Statistics Canada reported a population of 18,474 in the 2021 Census.
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Canadian context

Matane is a Quebec city of interest to Canadian readers as a regional centre in Bas-Saint-Laurent and a gateway to the Gaspé Peninsula, with ties to Quebec’s coastal economy, transportation network, and maritime tourism.[1][5][7]

Frequently asked questions

Where is Matane located?
Matane is in eastern Quebec on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River estuary, at the mouth of the Matane River.
What region is Matane in?
Matane is in the Bas-Saint-Laurent administrative region and is the seat of the La Matanie MRC.
What is Matane known for?
It is known as a regional port and service centre, and for fisheries such as shrimp and salmon in the surrounding area.
What is the origin of the name Matane?
The name is commonly linked to a Mi'kmaq word meaning “beaver pond.”
What was Matane’s population in 2021?
Statistics Canada reported a population of 18,474 in the 2021 Census.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Matane
    Supports: Location, regional role, economy, and historical industries.
  2. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/matane
    Supports: History, name origin, settlement, economy, and civic role.
  3. Statistics Canada — https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/3365-matane-quebec-gateway-gaspe
    Supports: 2021 population and gateway-to-Gaspé description.
  4. Ville de Matane — https://www.ville.matane.qc.ca/ma-ville/decouvrir-matane/a-propos-de-matane/
    Supports: Local description, regional role, and approximate population.
  5. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matane
    Supports: MRC seat and regional placement, used cautiously as secondary support.