"La Mauricie" encompasses a far-flung territory, 39 748 km2 in size. It stretches north starting from the majestic St-Lawrence River meandering up the St-Maurice Valley until it greets the confines of the Abitibi and the Saguenay - Lac St-Jean regions. It is held in check by the Lanaudière region to the west, whereas its immediate neighbor to the east is none other than the Québec region. Situated halfway between the two major metropolises of this province, Montréal and Québec, this gigantic tract of land is no more than an hour and a half's drive away from either of the two urban poles.

Both the Canadian Shield to the north and the vast alluvial plain bordering the St-Lawrence River have conspired to shape this land. The St-Maurice River, with its 587 km - long drainage basin, can lay claim to being this region's foremost waterway. Four other pristine rivers flank the St-Maurice as it empties into the St-Lawrence. The St-Anne River and the Batiscan River, both to the east and the "Du Loup" and Maskinongé Rivers to the west are equally important to the economic and the recreational tourism industries of these parts. One must not discount the impact Lake St-Pierre plays, given that, ever since it was designated as such by UNESCO in November 2000, it basks in its status as one among the select few in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Lake St-Pierre is the sole exemplification of a sustainable development undertaking, recognized by the UN, that can boast an international-class, navigable waterway, part of the St-Lawrence Seaway, and this, from one extremity of its expanse to the other. "La Mauricie" selected as the Forestry Capital of Canada for 2001, can count on a National Park, some 75 plus outfitters, 11 ZEC's (or controlled exploitation zones) as well as on two wildlife reserves and a number of regional parks.

Major industries continue to propel the regional economise of "La Mauricie". However, we are veering away from large industry as the sole mover of this economic structure. Take, for example, the St-Maurice River; initially it was used for hydroelectric power, as a waterway for the logging industry and as a means of conveyance for innumerable logs destined to sate the voracious appetites of the pulp and paper mills that still dot the landscape. Nowadays, a change in vocation brought about by the abolition of the annual log drive in 1996, has made it such that the river is being used by one and all for sports, leisure and recreational activities.