Karl WP Beyer In the fall, especially during the "Indian Summer", the New England states and eastern Canada are very popular. One of the preferred destinations is the peninsula of Nova Scotia, northeast of the US state of Maine in the Atlantic, and its capital, Halifax. Nova Scotia is part of Canada.
View of Halifax/Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia - Things to know
At almost 55.300 square kilometers, the territory of the province and its offshore islands roughly corresponds to the combined area of the two German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. Nova Scotia is felt to be in the northern latitudes of the earth. However, that is wrong. Nova Scotia is located on the Bay of Biscay. There is even enough to grow wine in the climatically favored region.
The peninsula's coastline is more than 7.400 kilometers long. Thousands of bays and more than 3.800 islands form the shoreline. Long, white sandy beaches line the east coast, and a narrow channel separates Nova Scotia and attached Cape Breton Island. Finally, another phenomenon: The highest tidal range in the world, 13 meters at normal high tide, can be found off Nova Scotia in the Bay of Fundy area.
History in a nutshell
Halifax and Nova Scotia have a long and turbulent history. French colonists first arrived in 1605 on the peninsula, populated by native Mi'kmaq people, with the goal of settling in Nova Scotia. The competing British did not want to be inferior to them. Their land acquisition began after King James I (James) of England gave the region between New England and Newfoundland as a fief to Sir William Alexander in 1621. Sir William called the area Nova Scotia or Nova Scotia. Since the representatives of both nations could not permanently live in peace on the peninsula, there were numerous armed conflicts. At the beginning of the 18th century, the French renounced their claims to the region.
The provincial capital Halifax is located on the east coast of Nova Scotia. The metropolitan region with more than 480.000 inhabitants is geographically on the same level as Bordeaux/France. The city was founded in 1749. That year Colonel Edward Cornwallis arrived with orders to build a fortified city on the site of present-day Halifax. The officer was accompanied by 2.500 English settlers.
Access to the Halifax Citadel
Halifax Citadel - central building
Thereafter, Halifax developed into an important port for transatlantic trade. The city had an important military role for over 200 years. It served the British and later the Canadians as a naval base. During the Second World War, Halifax played an important role as a naval port.
HMCS Sackville - The Last Corvette
Halifax Economy
Halifax is an important Canadian business location and administrative center. The timber industry and coal mining brought prosperity to the inhabitants. Other successful industries include petrochemicals, technology companies and tourism. The town's best-known son was Sir Samuel Cunard, the founder and proprietor of the Cunard line.
Government buildings in Halifax
Statue of Sir Samuel Cunard
Halifax - Science and Education
The city has several universities and technical colleges. The cultural offer is diverse. Several theaters, art galleries and museums are worth mentioning. Halifax also hosts several festivals. The Halifax Jazz Festival and the Halifax Pop Explosion enjoy nationwide fame.
Halifax Maritime Museum
Port Halifax for cruise ship guests
Port Halifax is by its own admission the "flagship destination" on the itineraries of Canada and the New England states. In 2018, 198 cruise ships called at Halifax. A total of almost 317.000 people visited Halifax and its surroundings. In the following year 2019, the year before Corona, the port recorded 179 ship calls. The number of passengers grew to 323.709.
Halifax Seaport
The port can accommodate up to five ships at peak times. Those with rank and name among the cruise lines fly their colors in Halifax. Read more about Halifax at Halifax attractions and A day in Halifax.
Update January 2023
