Province's Capital: Halifax Flower: Mayflower Population (2008): 938,310 Meaning: Nova Scotia is latin for "New Scotland" Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit ("One defends and the other conquers") With its breathtaking landscape and unique culture, Cape Breton has been called the jewel of Nova Scotia. Now, a major travel publication has recognized the island as one of the world's best. As part of the magazine's 2009 World's Best Awards, readers of Travel + Leisure ranked Cape Breton, Nova Scotia the best island destination in the continental US and Canada, and the 3rd top ten island destination in the world!! See the results of the World's Best Awards. The LandNova Scotia's 575-kilometre-long peninsula is surrounded by four bodies of water - the Atlantic Ocean, the Bay of Fundy, the Northumberland Strait and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Nowhere in Nova Scotia is more than 67 km from the ocean. Its geographic location, together with large, ice-free, deep-water harbours, has been a key factor in the province's economic development. Nova Scotia is a mosaic of rugged headlands, tranquil harbours and ocean beaches. Its indented shoreline stretches 10,424 kilometres, while inland is a myriad of lakes and streams. The land is framed by the rocky Atlantic Uplands, the Cape Breton Highlands and the wooded Cobequid Hills. The agricultural areas of Nova Scotia are predominantly lowlands. |  |
The PeopleApproximately one-quarter of Nova Scotia's population of 938,000 report the British Isles as their place of ethnic origin. Significant portions of the population also report either French or European origins. Many residents of Nova Scotia are of Scottish, English, Irish, French, German, Dutch, First Nations, Welsh, Italian, and Acadian descent. Peoples of European descent make up approximately 96.8% of the total population. |
 | Economy Nova Scotia's economy is highly diversified, having evolved from resource-based employment to include many types of manufactured goods as well as business and personal services. Due, in part, to a strong small business sector, Nova Scotia now has one of the fastest growing economies in Canada. | Tourism is an important sector in the provincial economy. Total tourism receipts exceed $1 billion and almost 40,000 people are employed in the many aspects of the industry. More than two million people visit the province each year, with almost one quarter of these coming from outside Canada. |
Climate Described on a provincial vehicle license plate as Canada's Ocean Playground, the sea is a major influence on Nova Scotia's climate. Nova Scotia is known to have cold winters and warm summers. The average annual temperatures are: - Spring from 1° to 17°C (34° to 63°F)
- Summer from 14° to 39°C (57° to 102°F)
- Fall about 5° to 20°C (41° to 68°F)
- Winter about -11° to 5°C (12° to 41°F)
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Universities Nova Scotia has the most universities per capita in Canada. | University | Location | | St.Francis Xavier University | Antigonish | | Universite Sainte-Anne | Church Point | | Dalhousie University / DalTech | Halifax | | St. Mary's University | Halifax | | University of King's College | Halifax | | Mount St. Vincent University | Halifax | | Nova Scotia College of Art & Design | Halifax | | Cape Breton University | Sydney | | Nova Scotia Agricultural College | Truro | | Acadia University | Wolfville |
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Nova Scotia at a Glance Nova Scotia's seacost diversity is what makes this peninsula so unique. Visit the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism to find out how to get here, what to do, where to stay, where to eat and how to get around. Find links to Nova Scotia Towns, Communities and Counties. As you will see, there are also a lot of other useful links here. To find comprehensive information ranging from our culture and heritage, to travel, vacation, investments and much more, visit the Government of Nova Scotia website. The Nova Scotia Book of Everything gives you information that you should know, information that you might like to know, and lastly, information that is downright fun. For more information about Nova Scotia, visit Nova Scotia at a Glance which is published by the Nova Scotia Department of Finance. |