The Laurentides () is a region of Quebec. While it is often called the Laurentians in English, the region includes only part of the Laurentian mountains. It has a total land area of and its population was 589,400 inhabitants as of the 2016 Census. The area is the traditional territory of the Algonquin First Nation. French Canadians began settlement in the first half of the 19th century, establishing an agricultural presence throughout the valleys. During the 20th century, the area also became a popular tourist destination, based on a cottage and lake culture in the summer, and a downhill and cross-country ski culture in the winter. Ski resorts include Saint-Sauveur and Mont Tremblant. The Laurentides offer a weekend escape for Montrealers and tourists from New England to Ontario, and with the building of a major highway through the area in the 1970s (Autoroute 15), the area has experienced much growth. Its largest city is Saint-Jérôme, in its extreme southeast, with a 2011 census population of 68,456 inhabitants. Administrative divisions Regional county municipalities Indian Reserve Doncaster, Quebec Major communities Blainville Boisbriand Deux-Montagnes Lachute Mirabel Mont-Laurier RosemèreSaint-Colomban Saint-Eustache Saint-Jérôme Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac Sainte-Sophie Sainte-Thérèse See also List of Quebec regions References External links Portail régional des Laurentides Portail régional des Laurentides Tourisme Laurentides Official website — Site Officiel CRÉ Événements culturels dans les Laurentides Administrative regions of Quebec