Cap-Chat is a charming town nestled in the Canadian province of Québec. It is part of the Regional County Municipality of Haute-Gaspésie and the administrative region of Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Located just 16 kilometres west of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Cap-Chat is home to a population of 2,777 as of 2006. The town's territory also encompasses the communities of Cap-Chat-Est, Capucins, and Petit-Fonds.
The origin of the town's name, Cap-Chat, is a subject of two theories. One suggests that the headland, called Cap-Chat, resembled a cat ("chat" in French). The other theory is rooted in local legend, where a cat was turned into stone as punishment for eating the offspring of a "cat fairy".
However, the most plausible explanation is that the town's name is a corruption of "Aymar de Chaste", who was New France's lieutenant-general in 1603. Samuel de Champlain named this area C. de Chatte in 1612, then Cap de Chatte in 1626. The name evolved to Cap de Chat in 1685.
The waterfront boardwalk at Cap-Chat showcases a collection of photographs and informative plaques about the Second World War Battle of the St. Lawrence between U-Boats and coastal defence ships.
Cap-Chat also holds a unique place in astronomical history. It 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.
On March 15, 2000, the Municipality of Capucins was amalgamated into the Town of Cap-Chat, further expanding its territory.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Cap-Chat had a population of 2,516 living in 1,225 of its 1,405 total private dwellings. This represented a change of 1.6% from its 2016 population of 2,476. With a land area of 181.31 km2 (70.00 sq mi), Cap-Chat had a population density of 13.9/km2 (35.9/sq mi) in 2021.
Cap-Chat, Quebec, with its rich history and picturesque landscapes, is a must-visit destination for those seeking a blend of culture and natural beauty.
