Home to the highest tides in the world, historic landmarks, sandy beaches and harbour fronts, Nova Scotia sways to the rhythm of the sea. From maritime ballads to the Fortress of Louisbourg to Pier 21 in Halifax, there exists a living history in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia is encircled by eleven scenic travelways that lead you around the provinces - from towering cliffs and long peaceful beaches to picturesque bays and charming villages.

There are a host of outdoor activities and amenities availible - from delicious seafood dining and kayaking to hiking, whale watching and golfing. There are world-class golf courses, with SCORE Golf Magazine ranking Highlands Links as the number one public course in Canada in 2002.

National Geographic Traveler magazine described Novs Scotia as a 'must see' destination and Condé Nast Traveler recognized Cape Breton as the world's most scenic island.

Nova Scotia’s blend of dramatic seas, scenic lands, Celtic music and friendly people shape a maritime culture like no other.

Witness the world’s highest tide ebb out of the Minas Basin and beachcomb the ocean floor for treasures. Drive, bike or hike the Cabot Trail, Canada’s great ocean highway.

Nova Scotia’s seacoast diversity is what makes this peninsula so unique.

Bay of Fundy is Nova Scotia's exciting Natural Wonder. In every pool, you’ll find gifts from the sea. Discover the highest tides in the world in the Bay of Fundy – measuring highs of 16 metres (54 feet). At low tide, comb the beach for amethyst stones and crustaceans. Ride the tide on the Shubenacadie River – one of the only places in the world for tidal bore rafting. The Bay of Fundy is a favourite destination to many shorebirds and whales, eagles and osprey.

Canada’s great ocean highway – the Cabot Trail – is on the island of Cape Breton. The trail winds a near 300 km (185 mi.) along the island’s rocky northern shore and then ascends the plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. From hiking to biking, golfing to skiing, the Cabot Trail is a visitor’s paradise.

Sink your feet in Nova Scotia sands. More than 100 accessible beaches are never far away in Nova Scotia. Enjoy inland beaches on fresh water lakes or feel the salty breeze along the seacoast. Dip into the warmest salt waters in Atlantic Canada on the Northumberland Strait, or venture south to where the Atlantic Ocean meets Nova Scotia’s rugged coastline and experience world-class surf.

In a province whose culture has been shaped by the sea, fishing remains an authentic way of life in Nova Scotia. From scallops and lobster to salmon and tuna, fresh local seafood is easy to come by.

LOCATION
Nova Scotia's 580-kilometres-long peninsula is surrounded by water. With an area of 55,491 square kilometres and average width of 128 kilometres, no part of the province is far from the sea. From Nova Scotia you can catch ferries to PEI, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and the American state of Maine. Its geographic location, together with large, ice-free, deep-water harbours, have been key factors in the province's economic development.

HISTORY
The Micmac Indians inhabited Nova Scotia long before the first settlers arrived from Europe. The first visitors, however, were Norsemen in the early 11th century. In the 1600s century, the French settled the region called Acadia, which included all of Nova Scotia, as well as parts of Quebec, New Brunswick and Maine. In 1763 it became a British colony and a favourite settlement for those of Scottish descent. In 1848, Nova Scotia was granted responsible government, and in 1867 became one of the four provinces that create the Dominion of Canada.

At that time, the province was on the forefront of international shipbuilding and the lumber and fishing trades. The First and Second World Wars emphasized the importance of Halifax, Nova Scotia's capital, as one of the world's major military ports. (In fact, an accident caused a munitions ship to explode in Halifax Harbour in 1917 creating the largest pre-atomic explosion in the world, killing thousands). Halifax was the marshalling point for ships crossing the North Atlantic in convoys during World War II.

PEOPLE
The province has a population of 909,000 people, of which 332,000 live in the Regional Municipality of Halifax, which now includes the former populations of Halifax, Darmouth, Bedford and Sackbille.