Champlain documented all the riches he discovered in the course of his explorations in Canada. His records emphasize the abundance of natural resources found there.

Champlain with his arquebus, 1609 Based on detail of the engraving Defeat of the Iroquois at Lake Champlain Champlain, The Voyages , 1613 National Library of Canada

. . . As for the country itself, it is beautiful and agreeable, and it brings all sorts of grain and seed to maturity. There are in it all the varieties of trees we have in our forests on this side of the ocean and many fruits, although they are wild for lack of cultivation: such as butternut trees, cherry-trees, plum-trees, vines, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries and red currants, and several other small fruits, which are quite good. There are also several sorts of useful herbs and roots. Fish are plentiful in the rivers, along which are meadows and game in vast quantity. Champlain, The Voyages, 1632

Keen to promote his adopted country, Champlain depicted the St. Lawrence Valley as a land of plenty.

Champlain's explorations in North America 1603 - 15 Click on sites designated by a red dot for a detailed view.