Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a French overseas collectivity consisting of a small archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland, Canada.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a French overseas collectivity consisting of a small archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland, Canada. It is France’s last remaining territory in North America and includes the main islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon-Langlade. The territory has been under French control since 1985 as a collectivité, with its capital on Saint Pierre.

Geography

Saint Pierre and Miquelon lies in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence off Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula, just 25 km from the Canadian coast as shown on a Map of Canada. The archipelago is small, with a combined area of about 242 km² and a coastline shaped by its rocky, low-lying islands. The largest landmasses are Saint Pierre and Miquelon-Langlade.

Political status

The islands are an overseas collectivity of France and are administered as part of the French state, separate from the Canada Map despite their proximity to Newfoundland. They have held this status since 1985, while remaining outside Canada.

Settlements and administration

Saint Pierre is the capital and main settlement, while the other major island group is Miquelon-Langlade. The territory is divided into communes, with Saint Pierre being the larger population centre.

Historical significance

Saint Pierre and Miquelon is the last surviving part of France’s former North American colonial presence commonly associated with New France. Its location has made it historically important for fishing and maritime activity.