What’s Nova Scotia Like?
Absolutely beautiful!

We have 37 national parks in Atlantic Canada, and 11 are in Nova Scotia. These sites are unique places that showcase the rich diversity of our landscapes-both natural and cultural. The total length of our province is 575 kilometres and its average width is about 130 kilometres. The Northumberland Strait, on the north shore, separates Nova Scotia from Prince Edward Island. The north shore has many gorgeous beaches with white sand and gentle slopes, perfect for farming. Nova Scotia has four distinct seasons; however, the climate is very unpredictable. In the summer it can get very hot and in the winter it can get very cold. The weather varies from day to day (according to the season) it can go from –4 degrees F to the low 90’s.

If you look at a globe, you will see that Nova Scotia is at the same latitude as the American State of Oregon and Southern France. Not quite the “frozen north” some might imagine. Check out our province on the Internet at: http://nsonline.com, http://explore.gov.ns.ca or http://www.gov.ns.ca

Population/People
There are 947,000 people in Nova Scotia. Our province is made up of a diverse culture of peoples. The province original inhabitants were the mi’kmaq. It was the French, however, in 1605 that established a permanent settlement at Port Royal. Samuel de Champlain was one of the organizers of the famous Order of Good Time, the first social club in North America… Nova Scotians remain very social to this day!

Education
Nova Scotia boasts a large concentration of institutions of higher learning particularly those involved in scientific and medical research, crucial to the business community’s competitive position in national and international markets. Nova Scotia has 472 public schools for grades primary to twelve, approximately 33 private schools, nine major universities, seven colleges, and a Community College encompassing fourteen campuses

Tourism & Culture
The industries in Nova Scotia are mostly fishing, forestry, and environment industries. Our special maritime character, with its lighthouses, beaches, fishing wharves and seaports gives the province a unique appeal, which attracts more than a million visitors every year The province is divided into 11 different scenic travel ways (See above map) The best known is the Cabot Trail on the Cape Breton Highlands, it has been described as “ the most spectacular drive in North America.”

Nova Scotia also has the highest tides in the world (almost 50 feet in the Minas Basin) and the warmest salt-water beaches north of the Carolinas (At the right time of year).

Halifax, the capital city, is the largest city in the Atlantic Provinces. It is the cultural, educational, business, and social centre of the region and is a prime destination for tourists. Busy Halifax Harbour acts as a magnet for tourists, drawing thousands of visitors to the waterfront where boat tours, museums, shops, and pubs add to the excitement of the harbour

Recreation & Attractions
Nova Scotia is a cultural bonanza in and outside of its cities. Each year, the province’s events calendar includes more than 800 festivals, fairs, and special gatherings. Some of the more acclaimed events are: Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival, Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Atlantic Jazz Festival, Halifax International Busker Festival, Antigonish Highland Games, and the Truro International Tulip Festival.

Nova Scotia is well deserving of its title “ Canada’s Ocean Playground “ because no point in the province is more than 56.3 kilometres (35 miles) from the sea. Water sports attract many, with swimming, water skiing, water surfing, scuba diving, sailing, and fishing popular throughout the late spring, summer, and early autumn.

Nova Scotia has 41 golf courses, 37 curling clubs, as well as facilities for bowling, harness racing, rifle, trap, and skeet shooting, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and alpine ski resorts that offer downhill skiing.

Communications & Information Technology
Nova Scotia is rapidly becoming a national and international leader in information technology. More than 100 companies and 7,000 people are employed in computer hardware and software production, marine communications, geomatics, and telecommunications

Dozens of Nova Scotia companies are world-class competitors in such things as global information systems, mobile radio equipment and integration, multi-media production, Internet service provision and much more. Furthermore, Nova Scotia has the highest per capita use of Internet in North America, with Internet access available in most communities across the province

Nova Scotia’s Sailing Ambassador----The Bluenose
The Bluenose is Canada’s most famous schooner. Built in Lunenburg and launched early in 1921. The Bluenose was sold in 1942 to a West Indies trading company. On January 29, 1946, the Bluenose fought its last battle going down off Haiti in stormy seas. On July 23, 1963, Canada’s only Tall ship, the Bluenose ll, was launched again from Lunenburg. It was built from the same plans as the first and by many of the same men. Today she cruises Nova Scotia waters and docks at the Halifax waterfront for the summer. The Bluenose ll is a major tourist attraction for Nova Scotia and is featured on the Canadian dime.