The set was unveiled Sunday, May 28, 2006at the 2006 World Philatelic Exhibition at the Washington DC Convention Center.

A skilled cartographer, Samuel de Champlain (c.1570-1635) played a key role in French exploration of North America. In 1606, he accompanied Lieutenant Governor of Acadia Jean de Biencourt de Poutrincourt on a mission to explore southward along the Atlantic coast from Port Royal in what is now Nova Scotia. The expedition reached as far south as modern-day Cape Cod.

Remembered as a remarkable draftsman, Champlain created highly detailed maps and drawings and wrote numerous accounts of his travels, including descriptions of his encounters with local tribes. His works document the cultures and geography of the east coast of North America during the early 17th century, and his maps are considered the first scientific documents relating to Canada.

Closely involved with French interests in North America for three decades, Champlain is also credited with the founding of Quebec in 1608. Later, he also traveled inland, exploring the lake that still bears his name and journeying as far west as Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay, part of Lake Huron.

This stamp is the third in a series issued by Canada Post to celebrate French settlements and related explorations in Canada between 1604 and 1608.

Souvenir sheet of 4, light and dark shades of the background image exist.

$3.99 CDN

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