ASBESTOS

town, Estrie region, southern Quebec province, Canada. Asbestos lies near the Southwest Nicolet River, 95 miles (153 km) southwest of Quebec city. Its economy traditionally depended almost entirely on asbestos mining and the manufacture of asbestos products. One of the minesthe Jeffrey open-pit mineis the largest asbestos mine in the world. Electrical equipment and wood products are manufactured. Inc. village, 1899; town, 1937. Pop. (1991) 6,487.