The map suggests how the territory gradually became populated. In 1667 only the land around the cities of QuÄbec, Trois-RiviÅres and MontrÄal was occupied with the highest concentration occurring around the capital since it was the first region to be colonized, as well as being the most accessible. By the end of the French regime there was an unbroken line of habitation from Kamouraska on the lower St. Lawrence to Vaudreuil, west of MontrÄal. Near the towns, properties extended over several concessions and settlement began along the shores of rivers such as the ChaudiÅre, the Richelieu and L'Assomption. In selecting their property, colonists kept certain factors in mind accessibility and ease of transportation; proximity to rivers for fishing; soil fertility; the proximity of towns where farm produce could be sold; and finally, the proximity of their place of birth, where friends and relatives also lived. Roads were built by the colonists, not by the government, and they sought to open up new lands as close as possible to regions which were already settled.
