IOTA NA-032 Ham Radio DXpedition to the St.Pierre et Miquelon islands. Two radio operators, Yuri, VE3DZ and Victor VA2WDQ/VA2WA will do their best to represent FP entity to the world of HAM radio operators. They will be active on July 20-31, 2012 CW/SSB/RTTY using personal calls FP/VE3DZ and FP/VA2WA for everyday operation and TO2U for contests.
About St.Pierre et Miquelon
First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions.
Geography
St.Pierre and Miquelon islands in the Gulf of ST LAWRENCE, 20 km southwest of the Burin Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador. Miquelon (110 km2) was once 2 islands. In the mid-1700s, an isthmus formed to Langlade (91 km²) in the south from sand collecting in the wrecks that had foundered on the reefs and sandbars between the islands. The treacherous waters between Langlade and Saint-Pierre (26 km²) were up to 1900 called Gueule d'Enfer - "the Mouth of Hell." Since 1800 more than 600 shipwrecks have been recorded.
History
Europeans began to regularly visit from the early 16th century and their settlements are some of the oldest in the Americas. At first the Basque fishermen only visited the islands seasonally during the fishing season, by the mid-17th century there were permanent French residents on the islands.
Population
About 5500 of the total population of more than 6000 live on the smaller island of Saint-Pierre, where the capital town of the same name is located. Fishing Cod on the Grand Banks was the main industry for centuries.
Climate
The archipelago is characterized by a cold borderline humid continental/subarctic climate, under the influence of polar air masses and the cold Labrador Current. The average temperature is 15.7°C in August and -3.6°C in February.Precipitation is abundant and regular, falling as snow and rain. Because of its location at the confluence of the cold waters of the Labrador Current and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, the archipelago is also crossed a hundred days a year by fog banks, mainly in June and July.
Visiting St.Pierre et Miquelon
To enter St.Pierre and Miquelon, all nationalities other than Canadian citizens must have a Passport. Canadian passengers are required to have a passport or driver's licence with picture or government issued ID with picture. Certain Countries with the exception of EU, USA, Japan and Switzerland may require a Visa. Here is the link how to get there http://www.st-pierre-et-miquelon.com/english/comment.php.
Other usefull links about St.Pierre et Miquelon:
- St.Pierre et Miquelon official web site: http://www.st-pierre-et-miquelon.com/
- St.Pierre webcam: http://www.cheznoo.net/portaildata/webcams/webcam.php
- Miquelon webcam: http://www.cheznoo.net/portaildata/webcams/webcamMiQ.php
- Virtual travel guide: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/Saint_Pierre_and_Miquelon/
