Final answer:
The early fur trade between the First Nations and Europeans primarily occurred in the St. Lawrence River area of French Canada. This included the province of Quebec and areas such as the Great Lakes and the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, with significant trade relations established by the French colony of New France.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the early fur trade, trade was occurring between the First Nations and the Europeans in the St. Lawrence River area. French Canada, which included the heart of the province of Quebec, was the center of this trade.
The French were the first European country to colonize the coastal regions of what is now Canada, initiating trade in the St. Lawrence River Valley and extending to surrounding areas like the Great Lakes and eventually into the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys.
Samuel de Champlain established the colony of New France in Quebec in 1603 and was quick to recognize the value of trade with local First Nations, forming key alliances with groups such as the Algonquin and the Huron to bolster the fur trade.
The European quest for wealth through raw materials from their colonies, such as hides and furs, saw the French government controlling immigration to focus on fur trappers and traders. In 1627, they granted a monopoly over the fur trade to the Company of New France, and by 1663, the fur trade was under royal control.