Southern Nova Scotia or the South Shore is a region of Nova Scotia , Canada . The area has no formal identity and is variously defined by geographic, county and other political boundaries. Statistics Canada , defines Southern Nova Scotia as an economic region, composed of Lunenburg County , Queens County , Shelburne County , Yarmouth County , and Digby County . According to Statistics Canada, the region had the highest decrease of population in Canada from 2009 to 2010, with a population decrease of 10.2 residents per thousand. The region also has the second-highest median age in Canada at 47.1 years old.
41-628: The South Shore is sometimes defined as part of the Halifax West , South Shore—St. Margaret's , and West Nova ridings at the federal level, or as the western rural part of the Halifax Regional Municipality , the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg , Queens County , and Shelburne County . There were five MLAs elected from this region in recent Nova Scotia provincial elections, when
82-576: A palisade along the neck of land where the village was laid out. The settlers spent the summer building shelters for the winter and, not having been able to conduct any fishing or farming, had to be provisioned from Halifax. When the settlers became dissatisfied with the distribution of provisions and due to general distrust and frustration from mistreatment by the British, they rose in armed rebellion in The Lunenburg Rebellion and briefly declared
123-454: A considerable distance from the ocean itself. Overall, the South Shore experiences a humid continental climate with high precipitation year-round. Summers are warm (occasionally hot inland) with high levels of humidity, although the heat is moderate compared with Central Canada. Winters are cold and damp, and although snowfall occurs frequently, it is often mixed with rain and snow accumulation
164-637: A distinct accent compared to the New England settlers' influence in the Annapolis Valley or the Highland Scots' influence in northeastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island . On December 19, 1906, the Halifax and Southwestern Railway opened between Halifax and Yarmouth, finishing a project that had begun in 1885, and bringing more reliable land transport to the region. Although the South Shore did not play
205-610: A major role during the First World War , the area saw significant military activity during the Second World War and the ensuing Cold War , as Shelburne and Mill Cove became home to Royal Canadian Navy bases, and a Pinetree Line radar station was established by the Royal Canadian Air Force at Baccaro . In 1966, Canada's first satellite communications (SATCOM) earth station began operations at Mill Village . In
246-505: A presence in Lunenburg that exceeds that in Bridgewater. Until 2009, the area was an important entry point for tourists travelling from New England, via a car ferry at Yarmouth . Two districts, Clare and Argyle , are notable for having proportionally large French-speaking populations. For the segment of tourism focused on Acadian history and culture, the major initiative is associated with
287-517: A republic, only to be put down by troops led by Colonel Robert Monckton . Others defected to the Acadian side. In 1754, the town had a sawmill and a store. In 1755, after the expulsion of the Acadians , the British needed to repopulate vacated lands. It offered generous land grants to colonists from New England , which was experiencing a severe shortage in land. Today these immigrants are referred to as
328-577: Is a federal electoral district in Nova Scotia , Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 1979. Its population in 2021 was 111,944. From the 2016 census Ethnic groups: Languages: Religions: Education: Median Age: Median total income: Average total income: Median household income: Average household income: Median family income: Average family income: Unemployment: The district includes
369-542: Is divided into 50 municipalities , of which Lunenburg is one. The town is also within Lunenburg County , which was created for court sessional purposes in the 1860s and today has no government of its own, but the borders of which are coincident with certain provincial and federal electoral districts such as the Lunenburg Provincial Electoral District , and census districts. The county also covers
410-414: Is moderate, owing to its coastal location which helps to limit extremes in temperatures. This means it is slightly milder in winter and slightly cooler in summer than most areas at similar latitudes. Lunenburg enjoys warm, breezy summers with temperatures in the low to mid 20s °C (70s °F). It is seldom hot and humid. Winters are cold and frequently wet. Heavy winter snowfall can occur, but Lunenburg's snowpack
451-570: Is moderate, particularly along the immediate coast. Mild days occur comparatively often in winter, usually as a result of low-pressure systems. Spring and autumn are extremely unpredictable, and the most precipitation falls by far within the months of April and May. For example, in 2011, rainfall occurred in Lunenburg County for 43 consecutive days during this period. 44°13′30.4″N 64°31′39.7″W / 44.225111°N 64.527694°W / 44.225111; -64.527694 Halifax West Halifax West ( French : Halifax-Ouest )
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#1733093409125492-458: Is second largest, with Liverpool and Lunenburg next. Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the host to several major music festivals and arts events, plus the Bluenose II , is generally considered to be the cultural capital of the South Shore, with Bridgewater its industrial centre. However, that is over-generalized, as several key industries, notably shipping and aerospace and software, have
533-574: Is the part of town which is protected by UNESCO. It is also the site of the old harbour. About 40 buildings in this area are on the Canadian Register of Historic Places including: The Lunenburg Opera House is also in this area, though built in 1909, and not on the registry. In 2005, the province of Nova Scotia bought 17 waterfront buildings from Clearwater Foods, the owner of the High Liner Foods brand, to ensure their preservation. Ownership
574-419: Is usually short lived due to frequent winter rains and regular freeze-thaw cycles. Thick fog and damp conditions can occur at any time of year, but especially in spring. Seasonal lag due to cooler ocean temperatures means that spring conditions arrive in Lunenburg late in the season, often not until mid May. On the whole, Lunenburg precipitation is high from November to May, with July, August and September enjoying
615-569: The 2012 federal electoral redistribution . This riding has elected the following members of Parliament : Changes for the Canadian Alliance from 1997 are based on the results of its predecessor, the Reform Party. Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Lunenburg ( / ˈ l uː n ə n b ɜːr ɡ / ) is a port town on the South Shore of Nova Scotia , Canada. Founded in 1753, the town
656-599: The New England Planters . Lunenburg was raided in 1756 by a mixed group of Mi'kmaq and Maliseet raiders, devastating the town. The attacks continued on the British with the Lunenburg Campaign of 1758 . Hostilities with Mi'kmaq ended around 1760. During the American Revolution , privateers from the rebelling colonies raided Lunenburg, including the 1782 raid , devastating the town once again. The town
697-617: The " Evangeline Trail " which extends through the Annapolis Valley and into the Southern Nova Scotia region as far as Yarmouth. The region is one of the southernmost areas of Canada, second only to Southern Ontario . Due to this as well as its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean , the region enjoys a climate which is distinctly mild by Canadian standards. The microclimate phenomenon occurs frequently, as many settled areas are located
738-430: The " Lighthouse Route " runs on Trunk 3 through most centres along the shore. The tourism industry is concentrated in the towns of Lunenburg , Chester , Mahone Bay , Liverpool , the five beaches surrounding Riverport , and the fishing community of Peggy's Cove . The largest community in the region is the town of Bridgewater , which is the commercial and industrial centre, although not a major tourism draw. Shelburne
779-590: The 1700s to the New World. Under the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht , France ceded the part of Acadia today known as peninsular Nova Scotia to Britain. To guard against Mi'kmaq, Acadian and French colonial attacks, the British erected Fort George in 1749 at Citadel Hill Halifax and founded the town of Halifax. The British sought to settle the lands with loyal subjects, and recruited more than 1,400 Foreign Protestants , mostly artisans and farmers, from Europe in July 1753 to populate
820-617: The 1800s, Lunenburg prospered through shipping, trade, fishing, farming, shipbuilding, and outgrew its original boundaries. The town was extended into the east and west of the Old Town into what is now known as the New Town. This area includes about a dozen buildings on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. Government in Nova Scotia has only two tiers: provincial and municipal. The province
861-467: The 1960s and 1970s, the impact of offshore processing and increasingly larger trawlers was being felt in communities, and the way of life on the South Shore was altered. As in many parts of Nova Scotia, many South Shore fishing communities all but disappeared as residents moved to larger urban centres in search of new opportunities. The decline in the fishery coincided with growth in the service industry, and specifically tourism. The culture and economy along
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#1733093409125902-528: The 1970s and 1980s, the Highway 103 arterial highway was built. During the 20th century, the South Shore became the centre of Nova Scotia's fishing industry, as fishermen in small boats operated from numerous tiny villages dotted along the coast. The larger communities also had fish plants and port facilities for larger off-shore trawlers, which began to see increased use following the Second World War. During
943-514: The South Shore gradually changed as the scenic area became a more common tourist destination. As more tourists came to appreciate the beauty and culture of the region, coastal land prices rose, small businesses catering to the industry sprouted up, and a vibrant art community took root. The South Shore is an important area for tourism in the province. It has a higher than average proportion of cottages, hotels, and tourist attractions, including Kejimkujik National Park . The provincial scenic travel way,
984-531: The US. The Lunenburg Cure was the term for a style of dried and salted cod that the city exported to markets in the Caribbean. Today a large hammered copper cod weather vane is mounted on the spire of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church . The Smith & Rhuland shipyard built many boats, including Bluenose (1921), Flora Alberta (1941), Sherman Zwicker (1942), Bluenose II (1963), Bounty (1961), and
1025-403: The communities of Bedford , the west end of Halifax , and an area that extends to the community of Upper Hammonds Plains in the north, Tantallon in the west and Terence Bay in the south. The area is 227.31 km (87.76 sq mi). The electoral district was created in 1976 from Halifax—East Hants riding . This riding lost territory to South Shore—St. Margarets as a result of
1066-462: The landscape. Glaciers abraded and plucked at the bedrock during their advances across the country, creating various deposits that vary in thickness, including drumlins , which are a key feature of Lunenburg County. The coastline in the area is heavily indented, and the town is on an isthmus on the Fairhaven Peninsula, with harbours on both the front and back sides. The climate of Lunenburg
1107-566: The region shifted from the Progressive Conservative Party to the more left-leaning New Democratic Party . It is generally considered to be a "swing" region that has changed political leanings in the recent past, and a key target for campaigning. The South Shore was one of the first areas of North America to be colonized by Europeans following the French settlement at Port-Royal in 1605. The region, without good agricultural land,
1148-503: The replica HMS Surprise (1970). In 1967 the yard was taken over by Scotia Trawler Equipment Limited. After the end of World War II, shipbuilders switched from producing schooners to trawlers , aided by migrant labour from Newfoundland. Lunenburg is in a natural harbour at the western side of Mahone Bay , about 100 km (62 mi) southwest of Downtown Halifax . The area is built largely on Cambrian to Ordovician sedimentary deposits . The last glacial period transformed
1189-712: The same terrain as the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg which surrounds, but does not include, Bridgewater , Lunenburg, and Mahone Bay , as they are incorporated separately and not part of the district municipality. According to the 2016 census, the most common National Occupational Classification was sales and services, with 24 per cent of jobs. By the North American Industry Classification System , about half of all jobs were in health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, manufacturing, and retail. High Liner Foods runs Canada's largest secondary fish-processing plant in
1230-681: The site in the warm summer months. Acadians settled in the area around the 1620s. The Acadians and Mi’kmaq co-existed peacefully and some intermarried, creating networks of trade and kinship. In 1688, 10 Acadians and 11 Mi’kmaq were resident with dwellings and a small area of cultivated land. By 1745, there were eight families. When Edward Cornwallis , newly appointed Governor of Nova Scotia , visited in 1749, he reported several Mi’kmaq and Acadian families living together at Mirliguèche in comfortable houses and said they "appeared to be doing well." Britain and France carried their military conflicts in Europe in
1271-550: The site the best example of planned British colonial settlement in North America, as it retains its original layout and appearance of the 1800s, including local wooden vernacular architecture . UNESCO considers the town in need of protection because the future of its traditional economic underpinnings, the Atlantic fishery, is now very uncertain. The historic core of the town is also a National Historic Site of Canada . Lunenburg
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1312-523: The site. The British had failed to provide promised land in Halifax to many of these settlers and they had become frustrated, causing problems for the British. The resettlement thus served the additional purpose of removing many of the Foreign Protestants from Halifax. Led by Charles Lawrence , the settlers were accompanied by about 160 soldiers. They assembled prefabricated blockhouses and constructed
1353-454: The town. The town's architecture and picturesque location make it attractive to the film industry. The dramatic and climactic wedding scenes of the award winning Canadian movie Cloudburst starring Olympia Dukakis were filmed in Lunenburg. Other films set in New England and filmed partly in Lunenburg include The Covenant and Dolores Claiborne . The 2010 Japanese movie Hanamizuki
1394-405: The warmest and driest conditions. Fall is typically bright, clear and cool. Jan: 1° Feb: 2° Mar: 5° Apr: 11° May: 15° Jun: 21° Jul: 23° Aug: 24° Sep: 21° Oct: 15° Nov: 9° Dec: 4° The original planned town was built on a steep south-facing hillside. It was laid out with compact lots in a rectangular grid pattern of narrow streets without regard to the topography. It is now known as the Old Town, and
1435-557: The waterfront are still used by business. The shipyard ABCO Industries was founded in 1947 on the site of the World War II Norwegian military training facility Camp Norway , and now builds welded aluminum vessels. Lunenburg Shipyard is owned and operated by Lunenburg Industrial Foundry & Engineering. It offers a dry dock, manufacturing and machining, a carpentry shop, and a foundry capable of pouring 272 kg castings . There are wharves for commercial inshore fishing. In
1476-566: Was fortified at the beginning of the War of 1812 . The British officials authorised the privateer Lunenburg, operated by Lunenburg residents, to raid American shipping. Over the following years, port activities transitioned from coastal trade and local mixed fisheries, to offshore fisheries. During the Prohibition in the United States between 1920 and 1933, Lunenburg was a base for rum-running to
1517-484: Was named in 1753 after the Duke of Braunschweig-Lüneburg who had become King George II of Great Britain . The Acadian inhabitants of the site had called it Mirliguèche, a French spelling of a Mi'kmaq name of uncertain meaning. An earlier Mi'kmaq name was āseedĭk, meaning clam-land. The Mi'kmaq have lived in a territory from the present site of Lunenburg to Mahone Bay. At one point, as many as 300 Mi'kmaq people inhabited
1558-399: Was one of the first British attempts to settle Protestants in Nova Scotia. Historically, Lunenburg's economy relied on the offshore fishery, and today it hosts Canada's largest secondary fish-processing plant. The town experienced prosperity in the late 1800s, and many of its architectural gems date back to that era. In 1995, UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site . UNESCO considers
1599-611: Was only sparsely inhabited by the Acadians , although several settlements were established in present-day Shelburne County and the LaHave River valley. When the British took control of the region in 1713, they initiated a program of importing colonists from continental Europe, known as the Foreign Protestants , mostly from Germany and Switzerland . To this day the South Shore retains many German place names and surnames as well as
1640-470: Was partly set and filmed in Lunenburg. Further, the supernatural drama television show Haven was partly filmed there throughout its 5 season run, though the story is set in the U.S. State of Maine. The 2012 film The Disappeared , the 2020 television series Locke & Key , and the fourth season of the 2017 television series The Sinner were filmed in Lunenburg. In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada , Lunenburg had
1681-674: Was transferred to the Lunenburg Waterfront Association. Shipbuilding infrastructure worth $ 1.5 million was added to the Lunenburg waterfront as part of the Bluenose II restoration project, which started in 2010. The site of the Smith & Rhuland shipyard is now a recreational marina. The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic , part of the Nova Scotia Museum , includes a small fleet of vessels, including Bluenose II. Parts of