Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier (December 31, 1491 – September 1 1557), baptized Jakez Karter, was a French explorer who is popularly thought of as one of the major discoverers of Canada, or more specifically, the interior eastern region that would become the first European-inhabited area of that country.

First Voyage 1534

The King of France, François I, chose him to find "certaines îles et pays où l'on dit qu'il se doit trouver grande quantité d'or et autres riches choses" ("certain islands and lands where it is said there are great quantities of gold and other riches"). In 1534 he set sail looking for a western passage to Asia. He explored parts of what are now Newfoundland (starting on May 10 of that year) and the Canadian Maritimes. He bartered for furs with the Micmac Indians and learned of a river further west (the St. Lawrence River) that he believed might be the much searched-for northwest passage. He landed for the first time at present day Gaspé, Quebec where he planted a cross and claimed the territory for France. During this trip he took Domagaya and Taignoagny, the sons of Huron Chief Donnacona, back to Europe.

Related Topics:
François I - 1534 - Asia - Newfoundland - May 10 - Maritimes - St. Lawrence River - Northwest passage - Gaspé, Quebec - Domagaya - Taignoagny - Chief Donnacona

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~