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July 31, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Field Notes • Canada Places

Saguenay

Saguenay is a city in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, Canada, located on the Saguenay River about 200 kilometres north of Quebec City.

Updated July 31, 20261 min readCited sources

Saguenay is a city in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, Canada, located on the Saguenay River about 200 kilometres north of Quebec City. It was created in 2002 by the merger of several municipalities, including Chicoutimi, Jonquière, and La Baie.

What it is

Saguenay was formed on February 18, 2002, by amalgamating Chicoutimi, Jonquière, La Baie, Laterrière, Lac-Kénogami, Shipshaw, and part of Tremblay township. The city lies on the Saguenay River in eastern Quebec, northwest of Tadoussac. It is divided into boroughs that correspond to the former municipalities of Chicoutimi, Jonquière, and La Baie.

Why it matters

Saguenay serves as an administrative, commercial, and industrial centre for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. It is also a rail hub and a major transportation link, providing access to the Saguenay Fjord area. The city’s economy is central to eastern Quebec, making it an important node for regional commerce and industry.

Key details

In 2021, the city population was about 148,000, with the metropolitan area at roughly 170,000. Saguenay is one of the main population centres in the region. The city’s three main boroughs — Chicoutimi, Jonquière, and La Baie — reflect its pre-amalgamation municipal structure.

In short

  • Created February 18, 2002, by amalgamating several municipalities.
  • Located on the Saguenay River, about 200 km north of Quebec City.
  • Functions as a regional rail hub and administrative/industrial centre.
  • City population ~148,000 (2021); metro area ~170,000.
Canadian angle

Saguenay is a major Quebec city and regional centre, important to Canadian readers for its role in eastern Quebec’s economy, transportation network, and access to the Saguenay Fjord.

Quick questions

Where is Saguenay located?
Saguenay is in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, Canada, on the Saguenay River about 200 kilometres north of Quebec City.
When was Saguenay created?
The city was created on February 18, 2002, through the amalgamation of several municipalities.
What municipalities formed Saguenay?
Saguenay was formed from Chicoutimi, Jonquière, La Baie, Laterrière, Lac-Kénogami, Shipshaw, and part of Tremblay township.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saguenay,_Quebec
    Supports: Location, 2002 amalgamation, population, borough structure, metropolitan population
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Saguenay
    Supports: City description, regional role, merger of former municipalities
  3. Bonjour Québec — https://www.bonjourquebec.com/en-ca/where-to-go/regions-of-quebec/saguenay-lac-saint-jean/saguenay
    Supports: Boroughs and regional tourism context
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saguenay%E2%80%93Lac-Saint-Jean
    Supports: Regional population context and Saguenay’s place within the region