Caraquet Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caraquet Bay |
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Caraquet Island Lighthouse seen across Caraquet Bay
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 Caraquet Bay
Location in New Brunswick
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| Coordinates | 47°47′52″N 65°00′01″W / 47.7977°N 65.0004°W |
| Type | Bay |
| Part of | Gulf of Saint Lawrence |
| Basin countries | Canada |
Caraquet Bay is a beautiful bay located in the northeast part of New Brunswick, a province in Canada. It's a busy and important place for the local communities.
The bay is surrounded by several towns and villages. To the south, you'll find the town of Caraquet and the village of Bertrand. To the north is the village of Maisonnette. The bay also connects to the larger Chaleur Bay to the northwest.
Right between Caraquet Bay and Chaleur Bay is Caraquet Island. The bay is known for its lovely beaches, where people can relax and enjoy the water. It's also home to many oyster farms, which are important for the local economy. The port of Caraquet is a busy hub for fishing and other activities.
Freshwater flows into Caraquet Bay from two rivers: the Caraquet River and the Du Nord River.
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What's in a Name? The Story of Caraquet Bay
Have you ever wondered how places get their names? For Caraquet Bay, there are two interesting ideas about where its name came from.
Mi'kmaq Language Connection
One idea is that "Caraquet" comes from the Mi'kmaq language. The Mi'kmaq are an Indigenous group who have lived in this area for a very long time. In their language, "Caraquet" might mean "where two rivers meet." This makes sense because the Caraquet River and the Du Nord River both flow into the bay.
The Carrack Ship Theory
Another idea links the name to a type of old ship called a carrack. These were large sailing ships used for trade and exploration many centuries ago. Perhaps early European explorers or settlers saw a carrack in the bay, or maybe the bay reminded them of such a ship.
Early Mentions of Caraquet
The first time Caraquet was written down in history was in 1672. This was done by Governor Nicolas Denys, an important figure in the early history of New France (which included parts of Canada). He was a French explorer and colonizer who wrote about the lands and waters he explored.
