Atlantic Canada basics
Atlantic Canada describes the four easternmost provinces of Canada: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. This grouping of provinces has a distinct character due to their similarities as small, coastal provinces with long histories of First Nations, Celtic and Gaelic, and French Acadian cultural influence.
Newfoundland and Labrador is the largest and northernmost province in this region, made up of the island of Newfoundland and the mainland section of Labrador. Sometimes, Newfoundland and Labrador is dropped from this grouping, and the three remaining southeastern provinces are called “The Maritimes.” New Brunswick and Nova Scotia border the large Bay of Fundy, neighboured by the smallest province, Prince Edward Island. As the eastern sea gateway to the rest of Canada, newcomers historically travelled through Atlantic Canada, and frequently settled there. Today, the four provinces of this region typically have smaller populations than other provinces in Canada, due to their smaller geographical areas. A total of 2.5 million people live in the four provinces of Atlantic Canada.
Populous cities of Atlantic Canada
The cities of Atlantic Canada are diverse communities with their roots in First Nations groups as well as historical immigration and settlement, and are known for their marine cultures and some of the best seafood in the world. Here are some of the most popular cities in which newcomers choose to settle in Atlantic Canada
- Halifax: As the capital of Nova Scotia, Halifax is the largest city in Atlantic Canada at almost half a million people, with a strong multicultural history.
- St. John’s: This capital of Newfoundland and Labrador has nearly 200,000 residents.
- Moncton: A bilingual city of French and English in New Brunswick with over 100,000 residents.
- Saint John: The oldest incorporated city in Canada, located in New Brunswick, with 60,000 residents.
- Fredericton: The capital city of New Brunswick, less populous than other cities at 60,000 residents.
- Charlottetown: The charming capital of small Prince Edward Island has just over 50,000 residents, about one-third of the island’s population.
Climate
The climate of the Atlantic provinces is a temperate marine climate, influenced by proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Summer temperatures are usually between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, with interior regions being hotter and coastal areas being slightly cooler in the summers. Winters can be quite cold and often rainy; 0 to -15 degrees
Celsius is an average winter temperature, and the northern regions of Newfoundland and Labrador can become much colder. Spring and fall are well-defined seasons in Atlantic Canada, with cool temperatures and ample precipitation.