Special Sub-Topic: Welcome to Halifax, Nova Scotia Click Here To Play: Welcome to Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax is the capital and largest city of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It is a major port city on the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the finest harbours in the world. It is closer to Europe than any other east coast port of call. In what year was this beautiful port city founded?

1749. Halifax was founded in 1749 by the Honourable Edward Cornwallis of Britain when he landed with some 2500 settlers to establish a permanent British settlement. It was named in honour of Lord Halifax, head of England's Board of Trade.

With a latitude of 44 degrees N., Halifax shares the same latitude with all but which of the following European cities?

Moscow, Russia. Halifax is geographically placed at a latitude of 44 degrees 38' N. and longitude 63 degrees 35' W. Halifax enjoys a maritime climate experiencing robust winters, reluctant springs, refreshing summers and lingering falls.

Halifax is known by several nicknames. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

'Birthplace of Prime Ministers'. Many years ago a thoughtful mayor of Halifax had hundreds of maple trees planted up and down the city streets. Travelling through Halifax in the summertime is a beautiful experience as the lush green leaves cover the steets almost like a canopy. Autumn is especially beautiful when the trees turn their gorgeous colours....the only problem is that when the leaves fall in the late autumn, they block city street drains and cause street flooding. Cleanup is very costly. Winter can be a bit of a challenge too, when heavy snow and ice damage the trees with their weight.

What would you call a person from Halifax?

Haligonian. The Greater Halifax area is made up of four previous municipalities: Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and Halifax County. This area has a total estimated population of almost 400,000 in the year 2002.

Halifax is a 'half-way' point between Europe and the west coast of North America. True or False?

True. The distance between Halifax and Victoria, B.C. on the west coast of Canada is 2785 miles. The distance between Halifax and London, England is 2881 miles. It goes to show the vast size of Canada. Dublin, Ireland, for instance is closer to Halifax than Vancouver, British Columbia!

Halifax, as an international city, is ranked as one of Canada's top five 'smart cities'. Which of the following is TRUE of Halifax?

All of these (It is home to seven degree-granting universities., It houses 8 major hospitals., It is Canada's second largest scientific center.). Probably the most well known of Halifax's universities would be Dalhousie University. 'Dal' was established in 1818 by Lord Dalhousie and is applied to by hundreds of international students each year. The Isaac Walton Killam Children's Hospital (IWK) is considered one of North America's top ten children's hospitals and it serves all of Atlantic Canada. Halifax is Canada's second largest scientific center after Ottawa, the nation's capital.

Sports enthusiasts and nature lovers enjoy the city of Halifax. Halifax is host to twelve golf clubs, five yacht clubs, many lakes and beaches and how many city parks (2002)?

171. Halifax's 'Public Gardens' is located in the center of the city and is an ideal retreat for its citizens and visitors alike. Many newlyweds have their pictures taken there every year (my husband and I included!). In 1984 the gardens were declared a national historical site as the "rare surviving Victorian Gardens in Canada".

If sight-seeing is your pleasure, you will not find Halifax lacking! One of Halifax's most visited sites is its famed Citadel Fort located high on a hill overlooking Halifax harbour. This star-shaped fort took 28 years to build and was completed in 1856. The son of what well known American designed the initial plans for the fort?

Benedict Arnold. James, the fifth son of Benedict Arnold was educated in Nova Scotia. He was the head of the engineers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick from 1816-1823. This fort is to this day complete with a defensive ditch, ramparts, musketry gallery, powder magazine and signal masts. It is a very interesting place for any history buff!

On a high bluff overlooking the spectacular entrance to Halifax Harbour lies another fortification built in 1793 at the outbreak of war between Britain and revolutionary France. What is the name of this historic fort?

York Redoubt. Its lofty vantage point gave York Redoubt an important communications advantage during times of war and it remained in military use until 1956! Today it is a historic site and is visited by many sightseers. The view from York Redoubt is spectacular as you can see all of Halifax and the surrounding area for miles!

Many cities have 'twin' or 'sister' cities. Which two are twinned with Halifax?

Hakodate, Japan and Halifax, England. Halifax, England is a town in Yorkshire in the north of England. Hakodate (in Hokkaido) and Halifax, NS formed a sister city affiliation in 1982.