Volume 9, numéro 17, 1964

EN :

The density of agricultural population based on cleared land does not necessarily express the real population pressure in a given agricultural region. Two factors can upset the significance of this measure of density : (1) differences in the intensity of exploitation within a single territory ; and (2), variations in the proportion of part-time farmers. The author bas developed an index of the pressure of population on the land by making various calculations for jour counties in Québec, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence estuary. He bas found that the population pressure on the land varies in nearly direct proportion to the agricultural density based on cleared land, in spite of the lack of uniformity of the physical environment in question. The author concludes that the agricultural density retains its validity for expressing the population pressure on the land.

EN :

One of the major impacts of the Bolivian revolution of 1952 was felt in the rural areas of this country where the campesinos still represent two thirds of the total population. In the first part of this article the various agricultural regions of Bolivia are presented with their main characteristics : the altiplano, the yungas and the lowlands of the Oriente. The effects of the agrarian reform undertaken in January 1953 are then examined. During the first years of the reform the subdivision of properties contributed to extend a subsistence economy and there were movements of résistance from the major landowners as well as from the traditional Indian communities known as the ayllus. Colonization of the fertile Oriente, mainly in the region of Santa Cruz, was an alternative which had some interesting results. Despite its limited success the experience of agrarian reform has led the Government to undertake in 1962 a new ten-year plan whose objectives are the continuation of the agrarian reform together with expansion of agricultural productions and colonization.

EN :

The settlement of Greenland, the world's largest island, dates back at least 4,000 years but the present population numbers no more than 35,000 and is very unevenly distributed throughout the area — 40 per cent of the inhabitants are grouped along the island's south-west coast. However, major increases in the population in recent years have brought about serious housing and land communications problems and a pressing need for improved community facilities. Greenland's economy is based upon the exploitation of natural resources, mainly game, fish and minerals. With the exception of a few meat and fish processing plants established in recent years secondary industry is almost non-existent. Increased investment and improvement of the educational System appear to be keystones to the future development of this isolated land.

EN :

Fort Chimo is located on the left bank of the Koksoak river 30 miles from Ungava Bay. The Koksoak was first discovered in 1811 by Kohlmeister and Kmoch, Moravian missionaries from Okak on the Labrador Coast. In 1831, two Hudsons Bay traders, Nicol Finlayson and Erland Erlandson, established the original Fort Chimo post on the right bank of the Koksoak river, six miles downstream from the present town. The post had a virtually continuous history of occupance from 1831 until very recently.

In 1944, the American army established an air base on the Koksoak river at the present site of the town of Fort Chimo. A great number of the local Eskimos moved away from the old post and congregated about the air base. The Americans abandoned the base in 1948 but most of the Eskimos remained on the site. The new town of Fort Chimo is now located beside the air field and the old post bas been completely abandoned.

Fort Chimo had a population of 490 Eskimos and 100-150 whites in 1963. The Eskimos are at grips with serious social and economic problems : poverty, un-employment, alcoholism, etc. However the establishment of a fishing and wood-cutting cooperative in 1961 augures well for the Eskimo community.

With the exception of Schefferville, Fort Chimo is the most important centre of eastern Ungava. First a trading post, Fort Chimo now bas an important service and administration junction as well as being a major transportation centre. Fort Chimo can be reached both by air and sea from southern Québec, but most of its supplies arrive by boat.