The three curves on this graph illustrate various aspects of Canada's population during the century we are examining. The upper line reflects the increasing number of inhabitants; the population rose from approximately 2,000 in 1660 to 70,000 by the end of the French regime. Two factors caused this increase: the arrival of some 10,000 immigrants over the course of the century and, in particular, natural population growth that is, the greater number of births than deaths in the colony. The middle curve represents the increasing number of births annually. The birth rate was much higher than today's; on the average there were eight births per couple. Children did not all reach adulthood, however, as the death rate was also very high. Approximately a quarter of the children died before their first birthday and, as a result, very large families were quite rare. The lower curve represents the number of deaths. The peaks indicate years during which there were epidemics of smallpox or other diseases for which no cure existed. Even so, Canada's population growth was rapid in comparison with that of other
