French explorer Samuel de Champlain founded Québec City in 1608. The original name of this beautiful city was Kébec, a name derived from the Amerindian language, which meant the “place where the river becomes narrow.” During the 17th and 18th century, Québec City was the center of New France and its massive territory. New France encompassed an area which today is comprised of Eastern Canada, the eastern United States, all of the Great Lakes in the United States and Louisiana, extending from Hudson Bay to Florida in the United States. Today it is home to many unique and breath-taking architectural designs, museums, and various attractions that draw visitors from the entire world.