Though most people know that Quebec is Canada's French-speaking province, not many are aware that it's huge: bigger than Alaska and nearly three times as large as France. Yet most of Quebec's residents, more than seven million of them, live in the extreme south of the province. That leaves plenty of wide-open spaces in most of the rest of Quebec, particularly in the northern four-fifths of the province, much of which looks virtually the same as it did more than three centuries ago when the first French settlers arrived. Even with the scenic beauty of the Laurentian Mountains or unusual rock formations of The Gaspé, most travelers today head for Montreal, Quebec City, and other parts of the province that lie within convenient driving distance. But they need no excuse for exploring just this area; these two cities, along with the areas they're near, are beautiful indeed. Quebec City is best known for the charm of its Old Town, a maze of twisting, narrow streets that rivals anything in Europe. Along these corridors, you'll discover shops, boutiques, and cozy cafes and bistros. The modern delights of Montreal include major league sports, a lively cultural scene, hundreds of superb restaurants, and an extensive network of underground shopping complexes, all connected by the city's sleek subway system. (Courtesy of Rand McNally http://www.randmcnally.com)