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The Story of a Giant Wall: How Fermont's Mysterious Buildings Change Lives
In the north of Quebec, Canada, there is a city famous for its giant walls - Fermont. The city, called Iron Mountain, was founded in the early 1970s to support iron mining in the area. Over time, this self-sufficient community has transformed the way its residents live and made this harsh land a unique place to live.
Creating a Background
Fermont was established in response to the need to mine the Jeannine Lake Mine at the time. In the process of mining ideal iron ore resources, Quebec Cartier Mining Company decided to build a new town in Mont Wright to accommodate 1,600 workers and their families. It is this idea that has led to the prosperity of Fermont today.
“Fermont’s construction is based on a deep understanding of the natural environment and social needs, rather than just economic considerations.”
Community and Humanities
The city's iconic building, Le Mur, is a 1.3-kilometer-long and 15-meter-high self-sufficient building that houses apartments, shops, schools and other living facilities. This design not only effectively resists the cold external climate, but also provides a convenient living environment for residents, so that they do not have to go out of the building during the long winter.
Harsh living environment
Fermont's harsh climate presents residents with a host of challenges. The winter here lasts for seven months, with snowfall reaching nearly 3 meters per year. The special climatic environment forces residents to seek ways to survive within this giant wall. The local drinking water source is Lake Perchard, while the city's wastewater treatment facility has raised environmental concerns among experts because of an increase in blue-green algae blooms affecting surrounding water bodies over the past few years.
“The design of this town was inspired by similar projects in Sweden and showed us the potential for innovative planning.”
Economic drivers
As a mining town, Fermont's economy is almost entirely dependent on the Mont Wright and Fire Lake mines. According to data from the past few years, more than 80% of municipal revenue comes from mining operations. The income of local miners is significantly higher than that in other areas of the province, showing the uniqueness of the local economic activities.
Language and Culture
In Fermont, French is the main language of communication, making it the largest French-speaking community in the northern part of the world. Although residents of the surrounding areas may be accustomed to speaking English due to geographical reasons, the cultural roots here are still closely centered around French. This is a rare phenomenon for a language community located so far north.
Transportation
Fermont relies heavily on the Trans-Quebec-Labrador route, as well as flights to Labrador. Although the geographical location is relatively remote, these modes of transportation allow residents and outsiders to maintain smooth communication. Whether it is the delivery of mail or supplies, Fermont's transportation system is crucial to its development.
"This city is not only a host to the mine, but also an example of how humans can adapt and survive in extreme environments."
Fermont is unique in how it brings together living, working and socialising, forming a diverse community that bridges nature and people. Faced with the challenges posed by the harsh climate and limited resources, the construction of this town provides residents with protection like a "wall". Today, Fermont is not only a symbol of iron ore resources, but also a synonym for human innovation and perseverance. In this context, how will Fermont develop in the future to cope with new challenges and opportunities that may arise?
