Baie des Ha! Ha! (Côte-Nord) facts for kids

The Baie des Ha! Ha! (which means Ha! Ha! Bay in English) is a special bay found in Gros-Mécatina. This area is part of the Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent region, located on the northern coast of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. You can find it in eastern Quebec, Canada.

Exploring Baie des Ha! Ha!'s Geography

The Baie des Ha! Ha! is situated just north of two villages: La Tabatière and Baie-Rouge. It's a beautiful part of the Côte-Nord region.

Islands and Smaller Bays

When you look at the entrance to Baie des Ha! Ha!, you'll see several small islands. These include the Red, Saint-Esprit, Ronde, Fecteau (which is the biggest), and Robertson Islets. Inside the main bay, there are two important islands called Jacobs and Woody.

The Baie des Ha! Ha! is also connected to many smaller bays and points around its edges. If you go clockwise from the bay's mouth, you'll find places like Fish Harbor, Pointe Seal, Terre Bay, and Cap High. Other spots include Anse Bastien, Anse Guillemette, Pointe du Sorcier, and Pointe de la Rivière. Further along are Baie Shoal, Baie Betty, and Pointe Juniper on the northeast side.

Water Sources for the Bay

The main river that flows into the "Baie des Ha! Ha!" is the Véco River. This river brings water from several lakes, including Robertson Lake, Charles Lake, and Blais Lake. Near the bottom of the bay, facing Woody Island, there's a spot known as "Half Way Cabin."

The Mystery of the Name "Ha! Ha!"

The name "Ha! Ha!" for this bay might sound like someone laughing, but it's actually not! The name has a much older and more interesting history.

Theories About the Name

One idea is that "Ha! Ha!" comes from an old Montagnais word. The Montagnais are an Indigenous group. This word was very hard for French speakers to say. It might have meant "a place where bark is traded." Imagine people meeting here long ago to exchange tree bark for different uses!

Another idea comes from the French language itself. In old French, the word "haha" could mean an "unexpected obstacle on a path." This might refer to a sudden turn or hidden part of the bay.

How the Name Became Official

The "Baie des Ha! Ha!" also gave its name to a nearby village. This village, called Baie-des-Ha! Ha!, is now part of the larger municipality of Gros-Mécatina. The name "Baie des Ha! Ha!" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the group in Quebec responsible for naming places.