Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Canada is a distinct region located in the eastern part of Canada. It consists of four specific provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

The region is defined by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which borders it to the east and south. To the west, the region meets the province of Quebec. While Quebec has a coastline on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it is classified as part of Central Canada rather than Atlantic Canada. As of 2021, these four provinces covered a landmass of approximately 1,000,000 square kilometers. They are home to a population of over 2.4 million people.

The physical geography of the region is quite diverse and rugged. It features rocky coastlines, gravel beaches, and dense forests. The landscape also includes mountains known as the Appalachian Uplands. This mountain range causes parts of the coastline to become fjorded, which are long, narrow inlets with steep sides. Within each province, these upland regions are divided into three distinct highland areas. The environment is heavily influenced by the maritime climate. This means the ocean plays a massive role in the local weather and the way people live.

Long before European explorers arrived, the region was the home of many indigenous peoples. These include the Mi'kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, Naskapi, Beothuk, and the Nunatsiavut peoples. The people of Nunatsiavut are the Labrador Inuit, also known as the Labradormiut. They are descendants of the Thule people. Much later, around 986 CE, Viking explorers led by Leif Erikson reached the North American coast.

They established a modest settlement called Vinland. While its exact location is uncertain, archaeologists believe it may have been at L'Anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of Newfoundland. This site represents the oldest confirmed European presence in North America.

European history in the region was shaped by competition between France and Britain. In 1604, the French established the colony of Acadia under Samuel de Champlain and Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons. The French formed alliances with groups like the Mi'kmaq. However, Britain and France fought many wars over control of Newfoundland and its waters. The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 gave Britain governance over Newfoundland but allowed France access to a "French Shore" for fishing. During the Seven Years' War, between 1755 and 1764, the British forcibly removed thousands of Acadians from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This event is known as the Great Expulsion, or Le Grand Dérangement. After the war, some Acadians returned to settle in what is now New Brunswick. Today, New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with over 25% of residents speaking French at home.

Migration continued to change the region after the American Revolution. In 1783, many Loyalists moved from the United States to the area.

This large group of immigrants led to the creation of New Brunswick after it was partitioned from Nova Scotia. This migration shifted the culture from primarily French toward more British styles. It also brought Black Loyalists to the region. About 3,000 Black Loyalists who had sided with the British were given freedom and moved to Nova Scotia. Many settled in Birchtown, which was a very prominent Black township at the time.

Later, in the late 19th century, many Irish immigrants arrived due to the great potato famine. They settled in port cities like Halifax and Saint John.

Today, the economy of Atlantic Canada relies heavily on natural resources. The ocean is a vital source of income. In fact, over half of all ocean-related jobs in Canada are located here. The provinces hold 75% of the entire Canadian ocean economy. They utilize the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic continental shelf for fishing. However, the industry faced a massive crisis in 1992. The collapse of the Atlantic northwest cod fishery led to a moratorium on cod fishing. This resulted in the loss of between 30,000 and 50,000 jobs, making it the largest single layoff in Canadian history.

Beyond fishing, the region produces significant amounts of energy and minerals. Labrador contains the Churchill Falls hydroelectric system, which is the second largest in Canada. It produces 35,000 GWh of power every year. The region is also seeing growth in wind power and hydrogen generation. In terms of mining, Nova Scotia produces more than 60% of Canada's gypsum. Other valuable resources found in the ground include coal, iron, salt, and various types of stone like granite and marble. From the deep forests used for timber to the massive power plants, the natural world remains the foundation of life in Atlantic Canada.