Nepedia
Back to Discover
Fluent Reader
🗺️

Nova Scotia

geography Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Nova Scotia is a beautiful province in Canada.

Novascotia topo
Novascotia topo

It sits on the east coast in the Maritimes region. The land is made of a large peninsula and Cape Breton Island. There are also 3,800 small coastal islands nearby. It is the second smallest province in Canada by area. However, it is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada.

Canada Nova Scotia Density 2016
Canada Nova Scotia Density 2016

As of 2025, over 1 million people live there.

The province is connected to New Brunswick by a narrow strip of land. This place is called the Isthmus of Chignecto. It is the only land border Nova Scotia has. Most people live in the capital city, Halifax.

Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry Service (21772298471)
Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry Service (21772298471)

Halifax is the largest city in the province. In 2021, more than 45% of the people lived there. It is the second largest coastal municipality in Canada.

John Christian Schetky, H.M.S. Shannon Leading Her Prize the American Frigate Chesapeake into Halifax Harbour (c. 1830) (cropped)
John Christian Schetky, H.M.S. Shannon Leading Her Prize the American Frigate Chesapeake into Halifax Harbour (c. 1830) (cropped)

The Mi'kmaq people lived in this land long before Europeans arrived. They are part of the Algonquian-language family. Their territory, called Mi'kma'ki, covers the Maritimes and parts of Maine.

Mi'kmaq people at Tufts Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada, ca. 1871
Mi'kmaq people at Tufts Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada, ca. 1871

In 1605, the French founded a settlement called Port Royal. This became the capital of Acadia. Port Royal was later renamed Annapolis Royal. It served as the capital of Nova Scotia until Halifax was founded in 1749.

EvacutionOfPortRoyal1710byCWJefferys
EvacutionOfPortRoyal1710byCWJefferys

History in Nova Scotia involved many battles between different groups. The French and the British fought for the land for over a century. In 1713, the Peace of Utrecht gave the land to the British.

Deportation Grand-Pré
Deportation Grand-Pré

Later, many people moved to the province during the American Revolutionary War. These people were called Loyalists. About 33,000 Loyalists arrived after the war ended. Some were Black Loyalists who built a large settlement in Birchtown.

A black wood cutter at Shelburne, Nova Scotia
A black wood cutter at Shelburne, Nova Scotia

The name Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland."

Gaidhealtachd-chanadach
Gaidhealtachd-chanadach

It was once called Nova Francia or New Caledonia on old maps. In 1867, Nova Scotia joined with New Brunswick and other provinces to form Canada. This event is called Confederation. Today, the province is known for its many coastal features.

Lighthouse DSC01066 - Peggy's Cove Lighthouse (7612052968)
Lighthouse DSC01066 - Peggy's Cove Lighthouse (7612052968)

You can see its history in its many old buildings and seaside towns.

338 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (22)
File:Mi'kmaq people at Tufts Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada, ca. 1871.jpg
Mi'kmaq people at Tufts Cove, Nova...
File:EvacutionOfPortRoyal1710byCWJefferys.png
EvacutionOfPortRoyal1710byCWJefferys.png
File:Deportation Grand-Pré.jpg
Deportation Grand-Pré.jpg
File:A black wood cutter at Shelburne, Nova Scotia.jpg
A black wood cutter at Shelburne, Nova Scotia.jpg
File:John Christian Schetky, H.M.S. Shannon Leading Her Prize the American Frigate Chesapeake into Halifax Harbour (c. 1830) (cropped).jpg
John Christian Schetky, H.M.S. Shannon...
File:Inauguration of the Welsford-Parker Monument, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 17 July 1860 - restored.jpg
Inauguration of the Welsford-Parker...
File:Bluenose sailing 1921.jpg
Bluenose sailing 1921.jpg
File:Novascotia topo.png
Novascotia topo.png
File:Nova Scotia Köppen.svg
Nova Scotia Köppen.svg
File:Canada Nova Scotia Density 2016.png
Canada Nova Scotia Density 2016.png
File:Gaidhealtachd-chanadach.svg
Gaidhealtachd-chanadach.svg
File:Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry Service (21772298471).jpg
Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry Service (21772298471).jpg

+ 10 more

More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.