| Nova Scotia, located in southeastern Canada, is the | | | | direct descendants. Around the year 990, the Vikings |
| second smallest province in the country but it is the | | | | visited the area. |
| most populous province in Atlantic Canada. With a | | | | The Venetian explorer, John Cabot, sailing under the |
| population of 940,397 (as of 2009) and an area of | | | | English flag in 1497, is believed to have also visited |
| 55,284 square kilometers (21,300 sq mi), Nova Scotia | | | | the region. The first European settlement was |
| is Canada's fourth least-populous province but second | | | | established in 1604. During that year, the French set |
| most-densely populated province. | | | | up Port Royal as the capital of the colony Acadia. |
| As well, Nova Scotia is Canada's most | | | | In 1713, the mainland became a British colony but the |
| southern-centered province but it does not have the | | | | colony remained mostly Acadian. In 1755, many |
| most-southern location. Part of Ontario stretches far | | | | Acadians, who would not pledge allegiance to the |
| to the north. Therefore, Ontario's center is farther | | | | British king, were forced out with the Great Expulsion. |
| north than Nova Scotia's central section. | | | | Few Acadians returned to the area. |
| The province is surrounded by three bodies of water | | | | In the following years, the majority of arrivals to the |
| - the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the north, the Bay | | | | region were United Empire Loyalists. More than 50% |
| of Fundy to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the | | | | of today's Nova Scotians are descendants of people |
| south and east. Although the province is almost | | | | who came to the region after the Acadian Expulsion. |
| surrounded by water, its climate is closer to a | | | | Records show that the first Scottish settlement |
| 'continental' rather than a 'maritime' climate. The | | | | occurred in 1621. The Scottish still make up 29% of |
| extremes of a continental climate are moderated by | | | | the total population. |
| the ocean. | | | | People of European descent account for 96.5% of |
| The province's mainland is the peninsula, surrounded | | | | the entire population of the province. Besides the |
| by the Atlantic Ocean, and including various bays and | | | | Scottish making up more than one-quarter of the |
| estuaries. Wherever you are in the region, you will be | | | | population, 28.1% are of English descent, Irish |
| no more than 67 km (42 mi) from the ocean. The | | | | (19.9%), French (16.7%), German (10.0%), Dutch |
| province also includes Cape Breton Island, a large | | | | (3.9%), First Nations (3.2%), Welsh (1.4%), Italian |
| island to the northeast of the mainland, and Sable | | | | (1.3%), and Acadian (1.2%). Some Nova Scotians |
| Island, a small island, about 175 km (110 mi) from the | | | | have German, Dutch, Polish, Ukrainian, Chinese, or |
| province's southern coast. In 1867, this region (named | | | | Scandinavian roots. Other Nova Scotians have Jewish, |
| for Scotland) was one of the founding provinces of | | | | Lebanese, Asian, or African ancestry. Nova Scotia has |
| Confederation. Even today, the Scottish are the | | | | Canada's oldest African-Canadian community. |
| largest ethnic group in the region. | | | | The people of the province are known for their |
| Approximately 11,000 years ago, Paleo-Indians | | | | friendly nature. Visitors are always welcome to this |
| camped at locations which make up present-day | | | | Maritime province. Tourists can choose from various |
| Nova Scotia. Natives were also believed to be in the | | | | types of accommodations - charming bed and |
| area between 1000-5000 years ago. The Mi'kmaq, | | | | breakfasts, cozy inns, secluded cabins, or Nova |
| the First Nations of the province and region, are their | | | | Scotia cottages and hotels. |