Belleterre, a charming town in western Quebec, Canada, is nestled within the MRC de Témiscamingue. The town's history dates back to 1930 when prospector William Logan struck gold near what was then known as Mud Lake, now Lake Guillet. This significant discovery led to the establishment of the Belleterre Gold Mines Company in 1935.
The Belleterre community was formed near Sables Lake to accommodate the miners and their families. By 1942, the community had grown significantly and was incorporated as a town. At its zenith, Belleterre was home to approximately 2000 residents. However, by 1957, the gold mine was exhausted and subsequently closed, marking a significant shift in the town's history.
As of the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Belleterre, Quebec, had a population of 285 individuals residing in 136 of its 181 total private dwellings. This represented a decrease of -8.9% from its 2016 population of 313. With a land area of 544.49 km2 (210.23 sq mi), Belleterre had a population density of 0.5/km2 (1.4/sq mi) in 2021.
In terms of language, the majority of Belleterre's population speaks French as their first language, accounting for 89.5%. English is the first language for 7.0% of the population, while 1.8% of residents are bilingual, speaking both English and French as their first language. Another 1.8% of the population speaks a language other than English or French as their first language.
Belleterre, Quebec, with its rich history and diverse demographics, offers a unique blend of cultural experiences for both residents and visitors alike.
