About Quebec

- Area: 1,667,441 sq. km.
- Population: 7.9 million (2009 estimate), of which almost half live in the Montreal area.
- Capital: Quebec.
- Official language: French.
- Currency: Canadian dollar.
- Government: parliamentary democracy.
- Prime Minister of Quebec Jean Charest (Quebec Liberal Party, since 2003).
- A World Heritage Site by UNESCO: the Old City (inscribed in 1985).

Economy

The situation in Quebec is substantially the same as that of the country as a whole, with exports mainly oriented towards the United States and a predominance of the tertiary. According to 2009 figures, the only ones available to date, La Belle Province accounts for roughly 20% of the Canadian economy and is ranked second, behind Ontario (37.8%) but ahead of Alberta (16.2%). In short, by itself, the Quebec has the 44th largest world economies, ahead of countries such as Portugal, Denmark and Ireland. Its per capita GDP is comparable to that of France.

Quebec's natural resources continue to play an important role in the economy, especially the mining and hydroelectricity production costs relatively low. The province is even among the world's leading producers of iron, zinc (operated by Abitibi), nickel, silver and gold. Exports of aluminum and alloys are ranked highest.

Also include the forest industry, which still accounts for some 80 000 direct jobs, agriculture (mainly livestock) and fishing.

Quebec has developed a high-tech industry, particularly in the fields of aeronautics (with Bombardier), biotechnology (marine, among others), the pharmaceutical industry and multimedia. Tourism represents about 3% of GDP in the province.