Nova Scotia

Only a narrow strip of land connects Nova Scotia to the rest of Canada, so it seems more like an island, with most of its development along the coast. The interior of the province is heavily forested and not served by many roads. The capital, Halifax, is the transportation hub for Canada's maritime provinces and offers the cultural attractions of a large city. Outside Halifax, numerous parks, national and provincial, are a paradise for outdoor activities. Best of all, despite the large number of visitors to the province every year, hikers, kayakers, and other adventurers practically have the wilderness to themselves: there's plenty to go ...

Only a narrow strip of land connects Nova Scotia to the rest of Canada, so it seems more like an island, with most of its development along the coast. The interior of the province is heavily forested and not served by many roads. The capital, Halifax, is the transportation hub for Canada's maritime provinces and offers the cultural attractions of a large city. Outside Halifax, numerous parks, national and provincial, are a paradise for outdoor activities. Best of all, despite the large number of visitors to the province every year, hikers, kayakers, and other adventurers practically have the wilderness to themselves: there's plenty to go around, even in the summertime. Nova Scotia is also rich in history, as waves of French, Scottish, and English settlers left their mark on the province, beginning with Samuel de Champlain's first settlement at Port Royal (now Annapolis Royal) in 1605. This cultural blend has produced a thriving maritime folk-music scene, especially in Halifax and on Cape Breton Island.

About the Expert

Stillman Rogers has written more than two dozen guidebooks, including Adventure Guide to Canada's Atlantic Provinces, Guide to Eastern Canada, and Adventure Guide to the Chesapeake.