Kazabazua, Quebec

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Kazabazua
nickname = Kaz
motto =


imagesize =
image_caption =


flag_size = 120x100px
image_shield =
shield_size = 120x100px


mapsize =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Quebec
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Outaouais
established_title =
established_date =
established_title2 = Incorporation
established_date2 = January 1, 1862
government_type = Municipality
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Adrien Noël
area_total_km2 = 175.49
area_land_km2 = 174.40
area_water_km2 =
area_footnotes = [Total area: [http://www.mamr.gouv.qc.ca/cgi-bin/repert1.pl?region=&mrc=&geo=83015&muni= Ministère des Affaires Municipales et Régions]
Land area: Statistics Canada]
population_as_of= 2006
population_footnotes = [Statistics Canada 2006 Census]
population_total = 839
population_density_km2 = 4.8
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code_type = Postal Code
postal_code = J0X 1X0
latd = 45 | latm = 57 | lats = | latNS = N
longd = 76 | longm = 01 | longs = | longEW = W
elevation_footnotes=
elevation_m =
website =
footnotes =

Kazabazua is a village and municipality in La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau Regional County Municipality, Quebec, Canada. The village is about halfway between Maniwaki and Hull at the intersection of Route 105 and Route 301, just west of the Gatineau River.

The village and municipality are named after the Kazabazua River which passes through it. Like many other Amerindian names, Kazabazua has had many spellings, such as Kazaluzu, Kasubasua, Cazabasua, Cazibazouis, Cazebalzuac, Cajibajouis. This word comes from the Algonquin word "kachibadjiwan", from "kach" ("hidden") and "djiwan" ("current"), hence it means "underground river". This name is a reflection of the local topography because the Kazabazua River disappears underground and resurfaces a few dozen metres downstream. The river then flows through rapids and passes under a natural stone bridge.cite web |url=http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/topos/carto.asp?Speci=72427&Latitude=45,95&Longitude=-76,01666&Zoom=1700 |title=Kazabazua (Municipalité) |accessdate=2008-08-08 |publisher=Commission de toponymie du Québec |language=French]

The communities of Kazabazua Station and Aylwin are also located within the municipality.

Geography

The bedrock of the region Kazabazua is composed predominantly of marble dating from the Precambrian Era and represent metamorphic sedimentary rocks from the Grenville orogeny.Centre d'Interprétation en Géologie du Grenville, "Plan de développement intégré, Sites et circuits du patrimoine naturel de la région de l’Outaouais", Montebello (Quebec), 2008-02-27 ( [http://www.geosites.qc.ca/pdf.htm Online version] )]

At the Kazabazua River, marble is calcitic and contains crystals of graphite and grossular garnet. The marble has been chemically and mechanically eroded by water from the river to form a karst stone bridge. The inclusion of gneiss in the marble illustrates erosion differential.

The Kazabazua Plain is a geomorphological phenomena unique to Quebec. It is made up of metamorphic rocks which are covered with a network of ancient sand dunes and bogs within which many rare plant species and threatened species have been identified. The topography is the result of water and wind action since the withdrawal of the last glacier. After this withdrawal, the region was covered by the Champlain Sea, which left a layer of marine clay. When the sea level lowered, the area was submerged under a postglacial delta which deposited large volumes of sand.

History

Circa 1835, the area began to be settled by Europeans and the community was originally called Hoganville, in memory of the first pioneers, the Hogan family, who were soon joined by the Gabie, Chamberlain, and Pritchard families.

In 1858, the Aylwin Township was formed, followed in 1862 by the township municipality with the same name. These were named after judge and politician Thomas Cushing Aylwin (1806-1871). Also in 1862, the local post office opened, named Kazubazua. As evidenced by Lovell's Gazetteer of 1873, the village itself also began to be popularly known as Kazubazua.

In 1932, the name was changed to Kazabazua and the municipality legally took this name in 1976. It is often shortened to "Kaz" by locals.

Demographics

Population: [Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006 census]
* Population in 2006: 839
* Population in 2001: 786
** 2001 to 2006 population change: 6.7 %
* Population in 1996: 759
* Population in 1991: 636

Total private dwellings (excluding seasonal cottages): 378

Languages:
* English as first language: 47 %
* French as first language: 50 %
* English and French as first language: 3 %

References

External links

* [http://www.mrcvg.qc.ca/textes/mun-kazabazua.shtml Kazabazua page at MRC de La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau website]

Geographic Location (8-way)
Centre = Kazabazua
North = Gracefield
Northeast =
East = Lac-Sainte-Marie
Southeast = Denholm
South = Low
Southwest =
West = Alleyn-et-Cawood
Northwest = Cayamant