CHAPTER XII
THE GASPÉ SHORE
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The Bay de la Chaleur is responsible for the creation of the great "near island" of Gaspésie which but for this deep indentation would continue from the portals of the River St. Lawrence into the New Brunswick coast line. The interior of the Peninsula is a maze of mountains, forests, mines, fishing waters, plains and high barrens. The area of nearly three million acres is portioned into three counties, Matane, Bonaventure and Gaspé. The north shore has fewer villages than the south, and no railway. Above the Bay Chaleur defiles a splendid range of serrated peaks which climb down to the margin of the sea, terminating there in massive cliffs and ramparts.
The principal settlements are on coves and bays where fishing craft flock like homing sea-birds. Into these serene havens sailed the Bretons who entered this "biggest bay" long before Cartier piloted his ships thither while seeking a water route to far Cathay.
Lescarbot disputed Cartier's statement that this golfe was "hotter than Spain," saying a rule had
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