Introduction to Geography of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia, one of the Maritime Provinces of Canada. It consists of a mainland peninsula, Cape Breton Island, and numerous small islands. The peninsula is connected to the mainland province of New Brunswick by the Isthmus of Chignecto and separated from Cape Breton Island by the narrow Strait of Canso. Surrounding waters include the Atlantic Ocean proper and such arms as the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Northumberland Strait, and the Bay of Fundy.
The total area is 21,420 square miles (55,490 km2). Nova Scotia is Canada's second smallest province.
Nova Scotia's provincial bird is the osprey.Nova Scotia in briefGeneral informationEntered the Dominion: July 1, 1867; one of the original four provinces.Provincial abbreviation: NS (postal).Provincial capital: Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia since 1749. Annapolis Royal served as the region's capital from 1710 to 1749.Provincial motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit (One Defends and the Other Conquers).Symbols of Nova ScotiaProvincial flag and coat of arms: Nova Scotia's provincial flag and coat of arms, adopted in their present form in 1929, bear a blue cross of St. Andrew on a white background and the arms of Scotland. The American Indian on the coat of arms represents Nova Scotia’s original inhabitants, and a royal unicorn symbolizes Scotland. Under their feet, Scottish thistle is entwined with the mayflower, Nova Scotia’s floral emblem.Floral emblem: Mayflower.Land and climateArea: 21,423 mi2 (55,490 km2), including 1,023 mi2 (2,650 km2) of inland water.Elevation: Highest--1,747 ft (532 m) above sea level in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Lowest--sea level.Coastline: 4,709 mi (7,579 km).Record high temperature: 101 °F (38 °C) at Collegeville, near Antigonish, on Aug. 19, 1935.Record low temperature: –42 °F (–41 °C) at Upper Stewiacke on Jan. 31, 1920.Average July temperature: 64 °F (18 °C).Average January temperature: 23 °F (–5 °C).Average yearly precipitation: 53 in (134 cm).PeoplePopulation: 913,462 (2006 census).Rank among the provinces: 7th.Density: 43 persons per mi2 (16 per km2), provinces average 13 per mi2 (5 per km2).Distribution: 55 percent urban, 45 percent rural.Largest communities: Halifax (372,679); Cape Breton (102,250); Truro (11,765); Queens (11,177); Amherst (9,505); New Glasgow (9,455).EconomyChief productsAgriculture: chickens and eggs, hogs, milk.Fishing industry: crab, haddock, lobster, scallops, shrimp, tuna.Manufacturing: paper products, plastic and rubber products, processed foods, transportation equipment.Mining: gypsum, natural gas, petroleum, salt.GovernmentProvincial governmentPremier: term of up to 5 years.Members of the Legislative Assembly: 52; terms of up to 5 years.Federal governmentMembers of the House of Commons: 10.Members of the Senate: 9.Sources of informationFor information on tourism in Nova Scotia, write to: Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture, and Heritage, P.O. Box 456, Halifax, NS B3J 2R5. The Web site at http://www.novascotia.com also provides tourism information. For information on the economy of Nova Scotia, write to: Economic Development, P.O. Box 2311, Halifax, NS B3J 3C8. For information on the government and history of the province, write to: Public Inquiries, P. O. Box 2734, Halifax, NS B3J 3P7. A Web site maintained by the Nova Scotia government at http://www.gov.ns.ca provides a gateway to much useful information about the province's economy, government, and history.Physical Geography
Nova Scotia is one of the Atlantic Provinces of Canada.Nova Scotia is in the Appalachian region of North America. Low mountain ranges cross the northern part of the peninsula and Cape Breton Island, reaching a maximum elevation of 1,745 feet (532 m) above sea level in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Rolling uplands prevail elsewhere; there is little level land. Ancient glaciers scoured all of Nova Scotia during the last Ice Age, leaving widespread debris and numerous small lakes. Lake Rossignol is the largest freshwater lake; Bras d'Or Lake is a large tidal inlet of salty to brackish water. Rivers are short, and few are used for transportation or hydroelectric power. The east coast is rocky and indented by numerous bays and coves. Huge tides occur in the Bay of Fundy on the west coast.
Nova Scotia's provincial flower is the mayflower.The climate of Nova Scotia is marked by cool summers, cold winters, fairly heavy precipitation, and considerable cloudy weather. At Halifax temperatures average 65° F. (18° C.) in July and 26° F. (-3° C.) in January; annual precipitation is 52 inches (1,320 mm). The rainiest areas are along the east and north coasts. Snowfall is moderately heavy.
Forests, consisting mainly of pine, spruce, fir, hemlock, birch, and maple trees, are the chief type of vegetation in Nova Scotia, covering about four-fifths of the province. Most of the forests are of commercial quality.
Nova Scotia's provincial tree is the red spruce.Interesting facts about Nova ScotiaThe first airplane flight in Canada was made on Feb. 23, 1909, over Bras d'Or Lake near Baddeck Bay. J. A. D. McCurdy flew the Silver Dart, which was designed and built by the Aerial Experiment Association under Alexander Graham Bell. It flew 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 meters) off the ground at a speed of 40 miles (65 kilometers) per hour for a distance of half a mile (0.8 kilometer). The flight was the first by a British subject in the British Empire.The first regular mail service by steamship between Britain, Canada, and the United States was established by Sir Samuel Cunard of Halifax. The paddle steamer Britannia began the mail service by crossing from Liverpool to Halifax to Boston in 14 days 8 hours in July 1840.The first newspaper in Canada was the Halifax Gazette. John Bushnell published the first issue on March 23, 1752.Economy
The service industries employ the largest number of workers in the province. Much of Nova Scotia's manufacturing is based on the province's natural resources. Important natural-resource industries include fishing, lumbering, pulp and paper milling, and coal mining. Other important industries in Nova Scotia include steel; food processing; printing and publishing; metal fabricating; petroleum refining; and the manufacturing of transportation equipment, notably automobiles and ships. Tourism is of growing importance. Industrial centers, besides Sydney, include Halifax, Dartmouth, Truro, New Glasgow, and Amherst.
Although less than 20 per cent of the land is suited to farming, agriculture contributes significantly to the economy. Most farm income is derived from dairying and the raising of beef cattle. Hay is the chief crop grown by acreage. Also grown are oats, barley, wheat, potatoes, and fodder corn. The Annapolis Valley, which parallels the Bay of Fundy, is a major apple-producing region. Blueberries are also an important fruit crop.
Nova Scotia's coastal fisheries have long been among the most productive in the world. During the early 1990's, however, overfishing, especially off the province's Atlantic coast, significantly depleted the stocks of many fish. Consequently, fishing and fish processing have declined somewhat. Nevertheless, these industries remain an important part of the province's economy. Lobsters, scallops, and groundfish make up more than 80 per cent of the catch. Lunenburg is the leading fishing port.
Coal, mined chiefly on Cape Breton Island, is Nova Scotia's leading mineral resource by value of production. The province also produces most of Canada's gypsum and substantial amounts of rock salt. Few metallic ores are mined. Large amounts of oil and gas may exist offshore.
Nova Scotia has well-developed transportation systems. A freight railway network, operated by Canada's two transcontinental systems, serves the major cities. VIA Rail Canada, a national agency, provides passenger service. Roads include part of the Trans-Canada Highway and several provincial primary highways. Most other roads are gravel-surfaced. A causeway links Cape Breton Island with mainland Nova Scotia. Air service is provided through a number of airports, chief of which is the international airport at Halifax. Halifax, with an excellent ice-free harbor, is Nova Scotia's chief port and the busiest on Canada's east coast. Ferries operate between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Maine.
The People
The total population of Nova Scotia in 2001 was 908,007, most of it of British, Scottish, Irish, and French descent. Indians number about 17,000. About 50 percent of the people are Protestants, mainly members of the United Church of Canada and the Anglican Church, and about 35 percent are Roman Catholics.
With a population density of about 42 persons per square mile (16 per km2), Nova Scotia is one of the most densely populated province.
Annual events in Nova ScotiaMay-OctoberAnnapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival (May-June); Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax (July); Pictou Lobster Carnival (July); Festival Acadien de Clare in the District of Clare (July-August); Halifax Highland Games and Scottish Festival (July); Festival of the Tartans in New Glasgow (August); International Busker Festival in Halifax (August); Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival (August); Hants County Exhibition in Windsor (September); Nova Scotia International Air Show (September); Celtic Colours International Festival (October); Pumpkin People Festival in Kentville (October).EducationThe public schools of Nova Scotia provide free, compulsory education from the elementary grades through high school. Attendance is compulsory to age 16.
Nova Scotia has a number of institutions of higher learning. Dalhousie University, founded at Halifax in 1818, is the leading university of the Maritime Provinces. Affiliated with Dalhousie are the University of King's College, one of Canada's oldest universities (opened in 1789), Mount Saint Vincent University, and the Technical University of Nova Scotia, all located at Halifax; and Nova Scotia Agricultural College at Truro. Other major institutions include Acadia University at Wolfville and St. Francis Xavier University at Antigonish.
Government
Nova Scotia's Province House is in Halifax, the capital since 1749.As in each of the other Canadian provinces, the lieutenant governor is appointed by the federal government to represent the crown, but has little power. The real power is exercised by the executive council, or cabinet, which is headed by a premier.
Nova Scotia has a single-house legislature called the House of Assembly. Its 52 members are elected for a maximum of five years. The cabinet is chosen from the leading party in the Assembly and is responsible to it.
The provincial judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, county courts, and minor and special courts. Nova Scotia is divided into 18 counties. The province is represented by 10 members in the Canadian Senate and 11 in the House of Commons.