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The Basics of Nova Scotia

One of the four Atlantic Provinces on the east coast of Canada, Nova Scotia is home to almost one million people. In addition to the mainland territory, Nova Scotia includes over 3,800 coastal islands. Halifax is Nova Scotia's largest city and its political capital, with a population of approximately 400,000 people. It is a main gateway to the Atlantic Ocean one of Canada's major seaports.

Economy and Employment

Nova Scotia's economy includes key industries in the manufacturing, service, and mining sectors. Fishery is less of a prominent industry than it once was as fish resources have become endangered in recent years.

Nova Scotia has a highly specialized commercial agriculture sector as well as a highly developed forestry sector. Nova Scotia is also involved in the mining sector and the oil and gas industry. Tourism is fueled by the more than one million visitors who go to Nova Scotia every year.

Standard of Living

Nova Scotia average income ranks highest among the Maritime Provinces. The cost of living in Nova Scotia is quite affordable, giving Nova Scotians a very high standard of living.

Residential Housing

Suitable and affordable housing is available. The average percentage of household income taken up by ownership costs is among the lowest in the country.

Education

All Canadians under the age of 20 are entitled to free education up to the end of secondary school provided by the provincial government. The Government of Nova Scotia provides free schooling from kindergarten through to Grade 12, available in both English and French.

Nova Scotia has a comprehensive system of post-secondary education consisting of universities, technical colleges and apprenticeship programs. Among these are Dalhousie University (the largest), University of King's College, Saint Mary's University, Mount Saint Vincent University and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, all in Halifax; and the Université Sainte-Anne (Francophone)and the University College of Cape Breton in Sydney.

Health Care

Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient. Like all other provinces in Canada, Nova Scotia provides a publicly-funded health services program. The Nova Scotia plan insures eligible residents of Nova Scotia for all medically required physicians' services provided in the doctor's office, in hospital or at home.

History

The original inhabitants, the Mi'kmaq First Nation still play an important role in the province. The Vikings were the first Europeans to arrive in Nova Scotia around the year 990. None would return until approximately 500 years later with the arrival of famous Italian explorer John Cabot, who landed in Cabe Breton in 1497. European settlement of Nova Scotia would begin approximately 100 years later with a French settlement at Port Royale.

By the time Nova Scotia joined New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec to form the Dominion of Canada in 1867, the province was home to a number of different cultural communities. This trend would continue throughout the centuries as many newcomers chose to stay in the Halifax area after landing there on their arrival to Canada.

Culture

Nova Scotia is known for having a friendly and welcoming culture. Some of the long-established groups that have left indelible marks on Nova Scotian culture include Scottish, French, Gaelic, Mi'kmaq and African-Nova Scotian.

Nova Scotia boasts modern cities that support bustling artistic communities. Halifax is home to a thriving modern music and theatre scene.

Demographics

One of Canada's smallest provinces in terms of population, Nova Scotia's is home to just over 930,000 people. However, due to its smaller land area, the province actually has the 2nd highest population density of any Canadian province. A large proportion of Nova Scotians live in Halifax and its surrounding suburbs.

The largest cultural group found in the province is Scottish, and also home to large Irish, French, Arab, German, Dutch and Chinese communities. With Nova Scotia's natural population growth on the decline, the province can expect the majority of its future growth to be accounted for by immigration.

Immigration

Approximately 2,500 immigrants settle in Nova Scotia each year, a figure that the province aims to increase in the future. Nova Scotia attracts skilled immigrants through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program. The province's program has a number of streams, including skilled workers, those who wish to come work in a family business and those with strong ties to a community in Nova Scotia. Recently the province has also begun strong efforts to encourage international students who graduate from the province's universities to stay and work in Nova Scotia.

Government

Canada's government works on a federal system, with control over certain affairs belonging to the national government in Ottawa, and others under the control of the provincial governments. The province of Nova Scotia has its own democratically-elected parliament (known as the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly).

Major City

Halifax

With a population of about 375 000, Halifax is not only the capital of Nova Scotia - it acts as the economic centre of Atlantic Canada. The city has long been one of Canada's most important ports, especially for new immigrants. Halifax's Pier 21, which was once the main entry point for newcomers to Canada, has now been converted into an immigration museum.

Along with the offices of the Government of Nova Scotia, Halifax is home to central operations for Canada's Department of National Defense. Another major employer is the Port of Halifax, one of the most important ports in North America. Halifax has a thriving service industry and many private sector companies. With the growth of offshore oil and gas production, this sector is becoming an increasingly important employer in Nova Scotia.

The city is home to a large number of post-secondary institutions, most notably Dalhousie University and Saint Mary's University. The community enjoys a bustling artistic scene, one which produces some of Canada's top musicians. Halifax has also grown recent years as a center for film production.