These islands are found in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The strongly maritime climate is marked by warm summers and stormy, mild winters. The mean annual temperature is approximately 4.5°C. The mean summer temperature is 13°C and the mean winter temperature is -3.5°C. The mean annual precipitation ranges from 900 to over 1000 mm. The boreal forest is characterized by black spruce and balsam fir with an understory of feathermoss. Fires have resulted in the development of low-growing kalmia heath and moss. Poorly drained sites support open stands of black spruce and tamarack with alder, kalmia heath, and moss. The ecoregion consists of flat to gently dipping Palaeozoic Carboniferous sandstones, shales, and conglomerates rising inland from sea level to 100 m asl in elevation. Small bedrock outcrops stand as prominent hills. Mantled with stony, loamy glacial till of varying depth, the dominant soils of the region are Humo-Ferric Podzols, which have compact subsoils that restrict internal drainage. Significant inclusions are Gleysols, Organic Fibrisols on domed bogs, and Mesisols and Humisols on basin swamps. There are very few terrestrial mammals on Îles-de-la-Madeleine because of its isolation. Shorebirds and seabirds inhabit salt marshes and coastal habitats. Fishing, tourism, and recreation are the region's dominant activities. The principal community is Fatima. The population of the ecoregion is approximately 14 000.
This ecoregion is part of the Atlantic Maritime ecozone.