Halifax is the capital city of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.

Halifax is located on the East Coast of Canada, in the Maritime province of Nova Scotia. Jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, Nova Scotia is one of the smallest Canadian provinces, shaped a bit like a lobster claw, one of the sea creatures popular in Nova Scotia’s fishing industry.

According to the most recent census, the entire province of Nova Scotia has a population just under one million. For reference, this is about one-quarter the size of the population Montreal and the surrounding area, and one-sixth the size of the Greater Toronto Area.

The city sits on the Atlantic coast and, as such, hosts the beautiful Halifax harbour. On hot summer days you can take a stroll on the boardwalk, take in the ocean breeze, and maybe catch a street performer busking on a pier as part of the Halifax Busker Festival.Throughout the city, you’ll find a range of restaurants, bars, and pubs, offering drinking and dining.

In Halifax, you might have to look harder if you want that high-paying, ambition-driven job that you would be able to find in Toronto. But, if you plan it right, you can find a comfortable job, with a slow-paced lifestyle, a safe community, and a province dotted with picturesque small towns and gems of natural beauty.

Education

Halifax has a publicly-funded education system. Children are able to attend public schools at no cost up until the completion of high school. There are also private schooling options available in Halifax, for parents who are willing to pay for some of the advantages that come with private education.

Nova Scotia’s public schooling system is good quality. While the province sometimes struggles to mitigate class sizes and teaching resources, students do receive a quality education. Schools provide advanced-level studies for high-performing students and options for extra-curricular activities and afterschool programming, including sports, arts, and music. The quality of education varies from school to school, so it is best to research the schools in your intended destination in advance.

public schools are administered by the Halifax Regional School Board, while six public schools are administered by the provincial Acadian school board.

Have a look at some of the list of universities in Halifax:

• Dalhousie University
• Mount St. Vincent University
• University of King’s College
• Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)

Economy

Halifax represents more than half of Nova Scotia's economy. (The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2009) Contributing factors include the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary industries in Halifax and the surrounding area. Resource-based jobs are available in the following primary industries; agriculture, forestry, fishing, oil & gas extraction, quarrying and coal mining. These industries are dependant on the regional natural resources; water, fertile soils, trees, fish, reserves of oil and natural gas, and minerals.

The harvest or extraction of natural resources such as water, trees and fish are not sustainable activities even though they are considered as renewable resources. The issues is that these resources are being consumed much faster than they can replenish, so it is impossible for stocks to return to normal levels.

The extraction of oil, natural gas and minerals from the land is also not sustainable, because these are non-renewable resources. To increase sustainability in the region, utilize more abundant resources such as water and use it towards efficient, renewable energies such as hydroelectricity. Still, it is essential that Halifax uses all of its natural resources in moderation, allowing time for reservoirs to replenish themselves before they become depleted, in order to have more sustainable primary industries.

Places to visit in Halifax

• Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk
• Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
• Pier 21 National Historic Site
• Halifax Harbourfront
• Day Trip to Peggy's Cove
• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
• CSS Acadia and HMCS Sackville
• Halifax Public Gardens
• Province House
• Take a Harbor Cruise
• Point Pleasant Park
• Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
• McNabs and Lawlor Island Provincial Park