SOREL

city, Montrgie region, southern Quebec province, Canada. It lies at the mouth of the Richelieu River, on the south bank of the St. Lawrence River. Fort-Richelieu (marked by a monument) was erected on the site in 1642. In 1672 a land grant was obtained by the fort commandant, Pierre de Saurel (or Sorel), for whom the settlement was named. A parish was established in 1721. In 1787 the community was renamed William Henry after the son (later William IV) of George III, but it reverted to its original name in 1845. A service centre for a farming area, Sorel is also a seaport and a wintering port for river steamships, dredges, and other craft. Steelmaking, titanium smelting, ship repairing, and the manufacture of plastics, synthetic fibres, clothing, and furniture are the chief industries. During World War II, Sorel became an important armament and shipbuilding centre. The city has a college, historical museum, two cathedrals (St. Peter's and Notre Dame), and the Gothic-style Christ Church (1842). Inc. 1848. Pop. (1991) 18,786.