Îles-de-la-Madeleine
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The Îles-de-la-Madeleine ecoregion is one of the smallest and most isolated of Canada's 194 ecoregions. An archipelago of 230 km2 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it is part of Quebec and is the fifth most densely populated ecoregion in the country. With 13,091 permanent residents in 2006, its population density was 57 people per km2.
Forests cover 31% of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, while grasses and herbaceous plants cover almost 21%; 20% is beaches, sand dunes and other exposed land. Cropland accounts for 13%, wetlands, water and shrubland make up another 13%. Only 2% of the ecoregion is developed land.
Fishing and tourism are its two main industries. In 2006, the primary sector, including the fishing industry, employed 17% of the island's labour force, compared with 4% of Canada's labour force. Sales and service (including hospitality) employed 23% of the labour force. In 2006, the 13,091 permanent residents welcomed 50,500 visitors, or 3.86 visitors per resident.
Map 15.3 Îles-de-la-Madeleine ecoregion, Quebec
Source: Statistics Canada, Geography Division.
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