Samuel de Champlain, a French explorer and cartographer, is best known for founding Quebec City in 1608 and for his extensive explorations of the New World. Born in 1567 in the French town of Brouage, Champlain first traveled to North America in 1603, as part of an expedition led by François Gravé Du Pont.

Champlain quickly fell in love with the natural beauty and potential of the New World, and he returned several times over the course of his life to explore and establish French settlements in the region. In 1608, he founded Quebec City, which would become one of the most important and enduring settlements in North America.

Under Champlain’s leadership, Quebec City thrived as a center of commerce, culture, and defense, and he worked tirelessly to establish good relations with the local First Nations peoples. He also embarked on numerous expeditions to explore and map the surrounding region, including Lake Champlain and the Ottawa River.

Throughout his life, Champlain was driven by a deep curiosity and a passion for exploration. In addition to his work in North America, he also traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East, and he wrote extensively about his adventures and discoveries. His many books and maps are considered some of the most important and influential works of early modern cartography and geography.

Champlain’s legacy extends far beyond his role as the founder of Quebec City. He is also credited with being the first European to explore and map much of the interior of what is now the northeastern United States, and he played a key role in establishing French settlements throughout the region. He also worked tirelessly to establish peaceful relations with the local First Nations peoples, and he was respected and admired by both his French and indigenous allies.

Today, Champlain is remembered as one of the greatest explorers and cartographers of the early modern period. His pioneering work in mapping and exploring the New World helped to establish French influence and settlement throughout North America, and his legacy continues to inspire and captivate adventurers and explorers around the world. For travelers to Quebec City, a visit to the Samuel de Champlain statue is a must-see, as it offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and adventures of this remarkable explorer and adventurer.