About Halifax
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| Aerial view of the Halifax Citadel. |
Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, was founded in 1749. With a metropolitan population of about 350,000 people, Halifax is the cultural, economic, educational and medical centre of Atlantic Canada. It is the home of Neptune Theatre, Symphony Nova Scotia and many other organizations devoted to the performing arts. There are numerous art galleries and museums, including the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, and Discovery Centre, an interactive science centre. In addition, the Halifax Citadel, a hilltop fortress in the centre of the city, is the most frequently visited National Historic Park in Canada.
Halifax occupies a peninsula surrounded on three sides by tidal water (Halifax Harbour, Bedford Basin and the Northwest Arm) and was the main naval and military bastion in British North America for well over a century. Today, with one of the world's finest harbours, it is home to the Atlantic fleet of the Canadian Navy, and is a major container port for eastern Canada and the central U.S.A. The World Trade and Convention Centre adjoining the Metro Centre, a blend of new and traditional hotels, a wide range of restaurants and an active night life make Halifax an important conference centre. Many historic buildings and public places along the waterfront provide a delightful setting for numerous festivals and special events. Cruise ships arrive in Halifax several times per week from May to October.
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| Take a picture of the Peggy's Cove lighthouse to send to the folks at home. |
Within easy reach of the city are Nova Scotia's many scenic and recreational areas which attract thousands of visitors each summer. The famous picturesque Peggy's Cove is less than an hour away and the grandeur of the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Island is just a day's drive. Sailing, canoeing, and water skiing are popular summer activities. The North West Arm, the base of several of the area's sailing clubs, is a five-minute walk from the Chemistry Building. The hundreds of lakes in the metropolitan are a provide excellent recreational opportunities, including swimming and skating. Numerous parks, including Point Pleasant Park at the southern tip of the peninsula, and the Public Gardens, in the centre of the city and a 10-minute walk from the Chemistry Building, contribute to the high quality of life in Halifax. Martock and Wentworth Valley ski centres are open for about three months each winter and are easily accessible from Halifax for a day or a weekend stay.
The climate is one of the more moderate in Canada. January's mean low temperature is about -10°C and July's mean high is 24°C.
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| The prettiest views of Halifax are in Dartmouth. |
