Category: Histories of countries and key towns and cities around the world

By Tim Lambert Early Montreal In 1635 the French explorer Jacques Cartier reached the island of Montreal. Then in 1642, a group of French settlers led by Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve went to Montreal. The new settlement flourished on the fur trade. However, the early settlers met with hostility from the Iroquois until 1701… Continue reading A History of Montreal

By Tim Lambert Ancient Naples The city of Naples was founded by the Ancient Greeks, who settled in southern Italy. Soon Naples became a busy and important port. However, the Romans conquered Naples in 326 BC. Under Roman rule, the port of Naples continued to thrive and rich Romans built holiday villas on the nearby… Continue reading A History of Naples

By Tim Lambert The Foundation of Ottawa Samuel de Champlain visited the area where Ottawa now stands in 1613. Afterwards, the Ottawa River was a major transport artery. However permanent settlement did not begin until Philemon Wright founded a small town he called Wrightstown. (It is now known as Hull). Then in 1826, the Rideau… Continue reading A History of Ottawa

By Tim Lambert Ancient and Medieval Paris The city of Paris began in the 3rd century BC when a Celtic tribe called the Parisii built a fortified settlement on the Ile de la Cite. The Romans conquered the Parisii in 52 AD and they built a town on the River Seine. The Romans called Paris… Continue reading A History of Paris

By Tim Lambert The Swan River Colony Perth was founded in 1829 largely because the British feared the French would establish a colony in Western Australia. In 1827 Captain James Stirling (1791-1865) sailed to the Swan River in his ship HMS Success. Stirling believed the area would be ideal for a settlement. He persuaded the… Continue reading A History of Perth Australia

By Tim Lambert Perth in the Middle Ages The fair city of Perth was made a town or burgh by King David I in the early 12th century. There was probably already a settlement there but it was an obvious place to create a new town. It was at the first spot where the River… Continue reading A History of Perth Scotland

By Tim Lambert Early Poznan Poznan began in the 9th century when a fortress was built on an island in the River Warta called Ostrow Tumski. By the 10th century, a settlement grew up nearby. A Bishopric was established in Poznan in 986. In the 13th century, Poznan became a busy little market town. Poznan… Continue reading A History of Poznan, Poland

By Tim Lambert Early Quebec The city of Quebec was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. He began a trading post there. During the 17th century and the early 18th century, Quebec grew slowly. The Maison Chevalier was built in 1752. In 1759 it was the scene of a decisive battle when it was… Continue reading A History of Quebec

By Tim Lambert Early Regina The city of Regina was once a place called Pile O’Bones because of the bones left there by hunters. Then in 1882, the first settlers arrived at the site. The new settlement grew rapidly and it was renamed Regina (Latin for queen) for Queen Victoria. In December 1883 Regina was… Continue reading A History of Regina, Saskatchewan

By Tim Lambert Early Saskatoon Saskatoon was founded in 1883 by a group of temperance Methodists from Toronto led by John Neilson Lake. It was probably named after a local berry. However, at first, Saskatoon was a tiny settlement. The railway reached Saskatoon in 1890 but it remained very small with a population of only… Continue reading A History of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan