to French colonists who settled in Canada from the 17th century onward. Transportation Travelling around Lower Canada was mainly by water along the St. Lawrence River. On land the only long-distance route was the Chemin du Roy or King's Highway, built in the 1730s by New France. The King's Highway was, in addition to the mail route, the primary means of long-distance passenger travel until steamboats (1815) and railways (1850s) began to challenge the royal road. The royal road's importance waned after the 1850s and would not re-emerge as a key means of transportation until the modern highway system of Quebec was created in the 20th century. See also Canada East, period after the Act of Union 1840 Former colonies and territories in Canada French and Indian War French and Indian Wars French colonial empire List of lieutenant governors of Quebec National Patriots' Day Ottawa River timber trade Province of Quebec (1763–1791) Rebellion Republic of Lower Canada The Canadas Timeline of Quebec history Upper Canada References Further reading Robert Christie. A History of the Late Province of Lower Canada, Quebec City: T. Cary/R. Montreal: Worthington, 1848–1855 (Internet Archive: All 6 volumes) François-Xavier Garneau. History of Canada : from the time of its discovery till the union year, Montreal : J. Lovell, 1860 (Internet Archive: All 3 Volumes) Saul, John Ralston. Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine and Robert Baldwin (2010) online External links Lower Canada - Encyclopædia Britannica Gouvernors of Lower Canada - Histoire du Québec Lower Canada - Library and Archives Canada Lower Canada - Quebec Parliament library 1841 disestablishments in Canada History of Quebec by location British North America Former British colonies and protectorates in the Americas 1791 establishments in the British Empire States and territories established in 1791 1841 disestablishments in the British Empire 1791 establishments in North America 1791 establishments in Canada States and territories disestablished in 1841