sétendent

Sétendent is a term primarily used in Quebec, Canada, to describe a long, narrow strip of land. These properties were historically established by French colonial law to provide settlers with access to both fertile farmland along rivers and woodlands for resources. The system, known as the seigneurial system, dictated the layout of these land grants. Each sétendent typically extended backward from a river or road, creating a distinctive pattern of parallel strips. This arrangement ensured that most settlers had frontage on a waterway, crucial for transportation, irrigation, and access to timber. The width of a sétendent could vary, but the length was often several times greater than its width, resulting in a long, thin parcel. This land division practice has left a lasting impact on the rural landscape of Quebec, with many existing fields and properties still reflecting the historical configuration of sétendents. The term itself is derived from the French verb "s'étendre," meaning to extend or stretch.