Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From time immemorial, the Mi'kmaq First Nation lived throughout present-day Nova
Scotia. When the French established the first European settlement at Port Royal (today's
Annapolis Royal) in 1605, Grand Chief Membertou offered them hospitality and became
a frequent guest of Samuel de Champlain.
That close relationship with the French led to considerable suspicions by the British
after they gained control of Nova Scotia, and rewards were offered for Mi'kmaw scalps.
Starting in 1755, most French-speaking Acadians were deported to Louisiana (where
they became Cajuns) and elsewhere for refusing to swear allegiance to the British
Crown.
Nova Scotia was repopulated by some 35,000 United Empire Loyalists retreating from
the American Revolution, including a small number of African slaves owned by Loyal-
ists and also freed black Loyalists. New England planters settled other communities and,
starting in 1773, waves of Highland Scots arrived in northern Nova Scotia and Cape Bre-
ton Island.
Most Nova Scotians trace their ancestry to the British Isles, as a look at the lengthy
'Mac' and 'Mc' sections of the phone book easily confirms. Acadians who managed to
return from Louisiana after 1764 found their lands in the Annapolis Valley occupied.
They settled instead along the French Shore between Yarmouth and Digby and, on Cape
Breton Island, around Chéticamp and on Isle Madame. Today Acadians make up some
18% of the population, though not as many actually speak French. African Nova Sco-
tians make up about 4% of the population. There are approximately 20,000 Mi'kmaq in
18 different communities concentrated around Truro and Bras d'Or Lake on Cape Breton
Island.
Local Culture
With nearly 8000km of coastline, Nova Scotia has a culture that revolves around the sea.
Historically, it has been a hard-working region of coal mines and fisheries. The current
culture is still very blue collar but, with the decline of the primary industries, many
young Nova Scotians are forced to leave their province in search of work.
Perhaps because of the long winters and hard-working days, an enormous number of
Nova Scotians play music. Family get-togethers, particularly Acadian and Scottish, con-
sist of strumming, fiddling, foot-tapping and dancing.
NOVA SCOTIA FAST FACTS
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Population: 921,727
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