Nothing soothes the soul and eyes like a calm and measured flow of the river. Coastal beauty allows you to fully enjoy your vacation, and centuries-old history (after all, rivers “live” for hundreds of years) makes the place mysterious.
In North America, the most famous waterway with a rich history and undeniable economic importance is the St. Lawrence River. A reservoir of unique beauty and popularity has many features and distinctive features that are appreciated by both locals and foreign tourists.
Center of French Culture
Historically, during the Seven Years' War, the St. Lawrence River and its valley became a theater of war between the French and the British. Despite the fact that the lands were seized by Britain as a result, the province of Quebec stubbornly continued to be loyal to the French flag: people spoke French, cherished and passed on their traditions from generation to generation.
The entire St. Lawrence Basin is certainly picturesque, but here in Quebec, it is especially noticeablethe charm of old Europe, transported by its inhabitants from their homeland in the most reliable container - in the heart.
Geography and shipping
Apparently, this territory, indeed, was blessed by St. Lawrence. The river is full-flowing, picturesque, it attracts many tourists. Here the passage of huge ocean cargo and passenger ships is possible. True, they go along artificially created bypass channels, but this does not matter much, because shipping brings huge economic benefits to the two countries through which the river flows - Canada and the USA.
The Saint Lawrence River originates from Lake Ontario and flows into the bay of the same name, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.
Slightly west of Montreal, nature has rewarded the river with many rapids and rapids that prevent navigation. Bypassing these imperfect and superfluous formations from the point of view of any captain, several wide and deep channels were built, through which large ocean-going vessels can go deep into the mainland eight months a year.
The idea and its implementation were economically supported by the two largest North American countries, allowing to organize the unhindered movement of goods and tourists. But the river fauna was damaged by the construction of canals: ocean lampreys that made their way into the river practically destroyed the entire indigenous freshwater population (fish).
Special River
It is standard to call the river one of the largest water arteries in North America, except for those who have never heardabout the amazing features and history of the reservoir.
This is an extraordinary river - the St. Lawrence River. The features of the river are the mixing of fresh and s alt water - in fact, two very similar and completely different water worlds. Also, the uniqueness of the reservoir lies in the presence here of one of the largest and most beautiful fjords in the world - Saguenay, as well as in the "dotted" channel with many large, small and tiny islands.
Usually, when asked where the St. Lawrence River is located, , Canadians answer: "In the garden of the Great Spirit." This Iroquoian legend has become another highlight of the river. A beautifully presented story about the origin of the "thousand islands" attracts tourists like a magnet.
Let's give a brief summary of this legend. The Great Spirit (who is also the Creator) rewarded the Indian tribes with fertile land on the condition that they would stop strife forever. The Indians promised to live in peace, but after a while they could not restrain themselves and again went on the warpath. For this, God demanded that the gift be returned. The representatives of the tribes wrapped the earth in a cloth and began to raise it to the sky. And when a huge bundle almost reached the vault of heaven, someone did not hold the end of the canvas, the earth spilled out and scattered along the riverbed and nearby lakes.
How many islands are there and what are they like
An accurate count of all the islands and islets was made at the beginning of the 18th century: they were grouped by size, thus obtaining eight island groups. The total number of islands is about two thousand.
And since at that time such real estate could be purchased for mere pennies, many shipowners and other citizens were happy to buy an island or several, telling their friends that St. Lawrence gave them the land. The river then still had rich stocks of fish, and on the shore nearby one could get hold of high-quality building materials.
And now most of the small islands are inhabited and privately owned. And the large islands are natural parks, open-air museums, hotel complexes and even sleeping areas.
All islands are divided between the US and Canada, but swimming in foreign territorial waters does not require a visa : The St. Lawrence River allows travelers to enjoy both countries alternately for several hours.
Unique places
One of the man-made sights of St. Lawrence named the tall bridge of the Thousand Islands. Arching its back above the channel, the bridge rises to the height of a 20-story building and connects two cities: Ivy Lee (USA) and Collins Landing (Canada). The bridge is quite old, it was built in 1938. It is very picturesque.
Tourists who are not alien to romance, are more attracted to the island called the Heart, which knows such a sad love story that a living heart is torn to shreds from it.
OnThe island has many elegant buildings, most of which are castles. Some of them look like medieval ones, others look like Disney ones, but each of them testifies that they were built, at least, for princesses.
And to some extent it is. One of the castles, the most romantic and magnificent, was built for his wife Louise by the German Boldt. He kept the construction secret, preparing his wife a royal gift. As the work was nearing completion, Boldt received a telegram from Philadelphia that Louise had died. This caused the enamored knight to wrap up all his work and leave the island, never to return.
He left, but the castle remained. Its history has been preserved for centuries. Now she has become the most touching in the entire thousand islands.
Motley fauna
The story of St. Lawrence would be incomplete without mentioning the rich and unusual wildlife for the river.
In which of the rivers can you still meet a blue whale, a huge beluga whale and a fin whale? The combination of flora and fauna here is so diverse that it is recognized as the most extraordinary on the planet.
Fish, despite the invasion of lampreys, there are about 200 species in the river. There are also more than 20 species of reptiles and amphibians, more than 300 species of birds nesting along the shores of St. Lawrence and nearby lakes.
