Saint Pierre and Miquelon

 

Overseas Community of France (Atlantic Ocean), south of Newfoundland (Canada), Cabot Strait.

 

Language.

French.

 

Time.

The time difference between Moscow and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is six hours.

Population.

6,080 people (2011).

Religion.

Most of the islanders are Catholic.

Climate.

Moderate. sea and wet. The average winter air temperature (January) is + 5 C, in summer (July) + 15 C. In autumn and winter, the difference between day and night air temperature can reach up to 15 C due to the impact of Arctic air masses.

Precipitation: up to 1200 mm per year, in the summer months, prolonged rains with drizzle are possible, in winter several meters of snow can fall, strong wind blows. There are often fogs in summer.

The Gulf Stream, a warm sea current, can warm up the air to +7 C ... +8 C in the cold season, and the ice Labrador is able to lower the temperature to +2-7 Even in the summer months.

Currency.

Euro.

Visa regime.

Russians need a visa to travel.

Customs regulations.

Payments are imported and exported unrestrictedly, but amounts over 7 thousand euros must be declared.

It is impossible to transport and export drugs and psychotropic drugs, weapons, ammunition. It is forbidden to export plants and animals that are listed as endangered species.

When transporting medicines, you will have to present a certificate and a prescription from the attending physician. When transporting animals, you must present a document on the vaccinations.

Resorts.

Tourists do not come to these harsh lands very often, but among nature lovers, bird connoisseurs and fans of fishing, the island is very popular.

Saint Pierre is the capital of the islands and the largest settlement. Saint-Pierre Cathedral on Place Morere is considered the main architectural dominant. On the island of Ile-au-Marins there is a church, there is a fishery museum.

From the capital by ship go on a sea tour to the shores of Gran Colombier, on this island there is a nature reserve with birds and penguins.

The island of Miquelon is decorated with the lighthouse Far du Cap Blanc, there is also a museum. In the lagoon of Gran Barashua there is a parking lot of rare birds. In case you are lucky, you can meet a colony of seals and see beautiful wild horses. In the spring, travelers come to see the whales that migrate to Greenland. If you come to the sandy spit of La Dune, then it offers stunning views of the Atlantic and mighty cliffs.

 

Kitchen.

The island cuisine combines the culinary traditions of the Indians, Spaniards and French.

Fish and seafood are the main products in gastronomy: crabs, lobsters, cod, shrimp. In the cafe you can taste local croissants and other fresh pastries, and in restaurants - frog legs and snails, fried pigeons, ducks in wine sauce ...

Coffee is considered a traditional soft drink. All alcoholic beverages are imported from abroad, because in the local climate it is impossible to grow grapes. Local restaurants serve Bordeaux and Burgundy wines, cider and champagne.

Traditions.

The main influence on culture and customs belongs to France, but also traces the influence of the peoples of the Basque group and the rituals of the Scots and Norwegians.

The inhabitants of the islands are friendly and friendly. Relations between islanders and behavior with visitors are no different from the universal norms that are accepted in the world. There are no special rules in the choice of clothes, it is enough to observe the norms of decency.

In everyday communication, the inhabitants of the islands can use a mixture of French, Spanish, English and the languages of the Scandinavian states.

The islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon were formerly called Eleven Thousand Immaculate Virgins (in memory of the Christian Martyr Saint Ursula).

The economy of the islands is based on fishing and tourism traditions. Fishing has a long history in these parts, this is already a tradition, and various competitions are held on the islands, for example, for the largest fish caught or for the most serious catch.

On the island play pelota - a sports game with a ball for several people, the national game of the Basques.

Photo: cruisegid, dxnews, passionnsujcb.canalblog