MAGDALEN ISLANDS

French les De La Madeleine, islands in Gaspsieles-de-la-Madeleine region, eastern Quebec province, Canada. They lie in the Gulf of St. Lawrence between Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, 150 miles (240 km) southeast of Gasp Peninsula. The group, comprising nine main islands and numerous islets, has a total area of 88 square miles (228 square km). The largest are Havre-Aubert (Amherst), Cap aux Meules (Grindstone), Loup (Wolf), and Havre aux Maisons (Alright). The inhabitants are mainly French Canadians. Fishing and fish processing are the chief occupations. The islands were discovered by the French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1534. Pop. (1991) 13,991.