Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint-Pierre is the capital of the French overseas collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, off the coast of the Canadian island of Newfoundland. Saint-Pierre is the more populated of the two communes (municipalities) making up Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The commune of Saint-Pierre is made up of the island of Saint-Pierre proper and several nearby smaller islands, such as L'Île-aux-Marins. Although containing nearly 90% of the inhabitants of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the commune of Saint-Pierre is considerably smaller than the commune of Miquelon-Langlade, which lies to its northwest Miquelon Island. The main settlement and communal seat are situated on the north side of a harbor called Barachois, which faces the Atlantic Ocean on Saint-Pierre Island's east coast. A small chain of islands guards the mouth of the port. Close to the center of the harbor's edge lie the Post office and Custom House (staffed by the Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes), behind which is General Charles de Gaulle Square, the town's center. Other prominent landmarks in Saint-Pierre include the cathedral, to the north of the square, rebuilt in the early twentieth century after a major fire, and the Pointe aux Canons Lighthouse, at the mouth of the harbor. Further north, close to the town's former hospital, is the Fronton Zazpiak Bat - an arena for the traditional Basque sport of pelota.

In Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the summers are short, cool, windy, and partly cloudy, and the winters are freezing, snowy, extremely windy, and mostly cloudy. 

French is the official language of the Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.

1. If anything, the history of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon has been tumultuous. They have long been a territory that has been exchanged, sometimes violently so, between the French and the English as they waged conflicts in the larger world. Initially a French settlement, the British took control of the islands in 1713, 1778, 1794, 1803, and 1815, with the French taking back possession between each of these occupations. Eventually, the French took control of the islands in 1816, this time permanently.
2. During the 1920s and the American prohibition, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon featured prominently in efforts to smuggle alcohol into the US, with infamous mobsters setting up operations on the island. Even Al Capone used the islands and was a client of Hotel Robert, a hotel that still operates today.
3. Perhaps the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon should be known as Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and Langlade. The largest island is technically known as Miquelon-Langlade, and it is dumbbell shape, the northern portion being Miquelon and the southern part being Langlade. What connects them is the Dune de Langlade, a not-so-permanent sandy isthmus. In fact, during the 18th century, a storm destroyed the isthmus, creating two islands, only to have currents shortly after that connect them once again.
4. Newfoundland is known for its own quirky 30-minute time zone, but Saint-Pierre and Miquelon are entirely different. They, too, have their time zone, this one being 30 minutes ahead of Newfoundland time. 
5. There are plenty of close connections through families and friends, and the citizens of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon are regular visitors to the island of Newfoundland. While it may not be an everyday occurrence, it is not uncommon to see cars with European license plates in Newfoundland, making it the only place in North America that you will see this with any regularity! Due to the proximity and small size of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, they depend on the island.
   

• The boats cross the start line in Halifax Waterfront while festivities begin in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon. Meet at the Café de la Route for the live tv broadcast of the ROUTE Halifax Saint-Pierre start, then every day, from early morning until late at night, the Café de la Route comes alive. Quai Eric Tabarly, on the waterfront, live music and gastronomy are proposed under the big tent that is always packed. With the local population and all the crews, as soon as they arrive!
• They must Parade in the streets of Saint-Pierre, where ROUTE Halifax Saint-Pierre sailors greet the population with music and perpetuate the tradition of ROUTE Halifax Saint-Pierre: Offering a maple tree to the town of Saint-Pierre, the symbol of the Franco-Canadian friendship of Route Halifax Saint-Pierre.
• Competitors and volunteers are in the same boat! A big thank to the population of the Archipelago and all the volunteers for their hospitality: each ship takes on board the family, who took care of them during their journey, and the volunteers for a coastal race between Saint-Pierre harbor and the other islands of the Archipelago. A fantastic show by the sea!
• The competition goes together with Prizegiving and many fine Trophies. Dressed up crews and ovations, live music, a friendly moment when everybody meets for the last time before considering the next ROUTE Halifax Saint-Pierre. See you all at the Café de la ROUTE to celebrate the sailors of ROUTE Halifax Saint-Pierre.