Saint Pierre and Miquelon, French archipelago in North Atlantic Ocean, Canada.
Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a French overseas territory in the North Atlantic, located south of Newfoundland in Canada. The two main islands, Saint Pierre and Miquelon-Langlade, lie about 15 miles (25 kilometers) apart, with Miquelon linked to Langlade by a narrow sand spit.
French fishermen from Brittany and Normandy established the first lasting settlements during the mid-1600s. Over the following centuries, control of the islands shifted several times between France and Britain before returning permanently to France.
Residents follow customs inherited from Brittany and Normandy, visible in local festivals and everyday routines. Fishermen still work using methods passed down through generations, and French spoken with a regional accent fills the streets and markets.
Travelers from North America need a passport despite the proximity to Canada, as the territory follows French administrative rules. Weather here tends toward fog and cool temperatures, so bringing warm layers is wise even during summer months.
Between 1920 and 1933, these islands became a major hub for smuggling French wine and spirits into the United States. Old warehouses still stand as reminders of a time when hundreds of ships arrived monthly to collect cargo bound for Prohibition-era America.
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