Val-d'Or, Quebec, a city with a rich history and vibrant culture, is nestled in the heart of Canada. With a population of 32,752 according to the 2021 Canadian census, this city is a gem waiting to be discovered. Located in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region near La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve, Val-d'Or, which translates to "Golden Valley" or "Valley of Gold," is a city that truly lives up to its name.
Gold was discovered in Val-d'Or, Quebec in 1923, giving the city its golden name. Today, while gold mining continues, the city has diversified its resources to include base metals like copper, zinc, and lead. These metals are found in volcanic rocks deposited on the sea floor over 2.7 billion years ago, known as volcanic-hosted or volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits (VMS).
Val-d'Or is not just about mining. The city is known for its vast parks, cycle tracks, and forests. Tourists can visit the City of Gold and the mining village of Bourlamaque, both of which were officially proclaimed historic sites in 1979. The city also hosted the Quebec Games in 1987 and is home to the Val-d'Or Foreurs, a local hockey team that has won the league championship thrice.
Despite its name suggesting a valley, Val-d'Or, Quebec is situated on a vast, slightly undulating plain on the Canadian Shield, 1100 feet above sea level. The city is at the heart of a vast hydrographic network, including Lake Blouin to the north and Baie Carrière to the south.
Val-d'Or, Quebec experiences a humid continental climate, bordering on a subarctic climate. Winters are snowy and severely cold, with a January mean of −17.4 °C. Summers, on the other hand, are warm and humid, with a July daily high of 23.7 °C. The city receives an average of 288 centimetres of snow and 905 millimetres of precipitation per year.
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Val-d'Or, Quebec had a population of 32,752 living in 15,033 of its 15,884 total private dwellings. The city covers a land area of 3,536.84 km2, resulting in a population density of 9.3/km2. The majority of the population speaks French (93.3%), followed by English (2.6%), both English and French (1.1%), and other languages (2.4%).
Val-d'Or, Quebec is a city that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or a sports enthusiast, there's something for everyone in this golden city.
