Miquelon-Langlade is the larger and less populated of the two communes making up the French overseas collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, located to the south of Newfoundland in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It consists of three geological islands: Miquelon, Langlade and Le Cap, connected with tombolos. The communal seat is the settlement of Miquelon, on the northern tip, where the entire island's permanent population of 623 is located. Miquelon Airport provides flights to Montreal and to nearby Saint-Pierre.
Geography
Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, west of Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula, Miquelon-Langlade covers a total land area of. It is made up of three geologically distinct islands bound together by tombolos — long strips of sand dune — Le Cap in the north, Miquelon in the centre and Langlade in the south. On the south of the Miquelon Island is a large lagoon known as the Grand Barachois which is host to a large population of seals and other wildlife. Miquelon is also a well known destination for bird watching. An long tombolosandspit called La Dune connects Miquelon and Langlade. In the eighteenth century it was still possible to sail a boat between Miquelon and Langlade, but by the end of that century La Dune had closed in to form an isthmus between the islands. Located at west of Saint Pierre Island, Langlade is an ancient peneplain drained by numerous short rivers, including the Belle, the largest, which flows to the northwest. The coast of Langlade is lined with steep cliffs, except to the northwest.
Climate
classifies its climate as subarctic. Summers are mild while winters are cold. It receives precipitation all year.
History
The name Miquelon is of Basque origin and means "Michael", as several fishermen with this name were established in the island. In 1579, the names Micquetõ, Micquelle appeared for the first time in Martin de Hoyarçabal's navigational pilot. The name evolved over time into Miclon, Micklon, and finally Miquelon.
Demographics
The capital of the commune, Miquelon, is located on the north, along a tombolo that connects the formerly separate island of Le Cap with the northwestern part of Miquelon Island. It lies north of a barachois and has constructed a small harbour protected with breakwaters along the eastern side of the isthmus. Miquelon is home to the Miquelon Airport. The Centre Médical de Miquelon has some medical care facilities for residents, but other facilities are available on Saint Pierre Island as well as in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The population of Miquelon-Langlade is mainly of Basque and Acadian ancestry. The population of Miquelon-Langlade was 623 at the 2011 Census.
Transportation
Miquelon can be reached by boat or by plane from Saint-Pierre and is served by Miquelon Airport which is located adjacent to the settlement of Miquelon. The airport is served by Air Saint-Pierre with flights both to Saint Pierre Airport and Canada.
