SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU

also called Saint-Jean city, Montrgie region, southern Quebec province, Canada, on the west bank of the Richelieu River, opposite Iberville. Its site, 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Montreal city, was first occupied by Fort-Saint-Jean, built in 1666 and reconstructed in 1748 and 1775. The city became a trading centre on major roads, the Chambly Canal (linking Lake Champlain with the St. Lawrence River), and Canada's first railroad (1836), which joined it with Laprairie near Montreal. Manufactures include sewing machines, ribbons, wooden articles, bricks, textiles and clothing, and metallurgical products. The city is the seat of a Roman Catholic diocese and site of a bilingual military school and Saint-Jean Seminary. Pop. (1991) 37,607.