Champlain

Champlain is a name used for several places and people, most notably the French explorer Samuel de Champlain and the lake named in his honor. Samuel de Champlain (c. 1574–1635) was a French navigator, geographer, and colonist who played a central role in the early French presence in North America. He founded Quebec City in 1608 and conducted extensive explorations of the St. Lawrence River basin and the Great Lakes region. His maps and accounts contributed to European knowledge of northeastern North America and helped establish French claims in New France. He is often regarded as the "Father of New France."

Lake Champlain is a large freshwater lake located mainly between northern New York and Vermont, with a portion extending into southern Quebec. It stretches roughly 120 miles and connects to the St. Lawrence River via the Richelieu River. The lake has ecological, historical, and recreational significance and was named after Samuel de Champlain.

The name Champlain is also used for several municipalities and institutions in North America, including towns in New York and Vermont and Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. These derive their names from the explorer or from the lake and reflect Champlain’s historical influence on the region.