It was the major starting point for First and Second World War convoys departing for Europe. In 1917 the French steamship Mont Blanc and the Belgian steamer Imo collided, causing the biggest manmade explosion the world had seen until Hiroshima. The city is home to eight colleges and universities including the University of King's College, which was founded in 1789. The young demographic of these colleges has attracted a diverse range of restaurants and nightlife to the city (the fact it's a port city doesn't hurt either), as well as number of high technology companies.

The city today is a major rail and shipping hub for North America, being the easternmost rail-connected port on the continent. It is also a major staging ground for oil & gas exploration off the Grand Banks and around Sable Island. These developments are helping the Halifax area to become the strongest economic force in the Maritimes.