Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada, also known as the Atlantic Provinces, consists of Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada. The term the Maritimes is also used, but it does not include Newfoundland and Labrador since it originated before 1949 when Newfoundland and Labrador joined Canada.
Over Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada, also known as the Atlantic Provinces, consists of Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada. The term the Maritimes is also used, but it does not include Newfoundland and Labrador since it originated before 1949 when Newfoundland and Labrador joined Canada. Generally rocky and forested with only relatively few small valleys and plains suitable for agriculture, this region was built on what could be pulled from the sea or the forest. This was true for the original indigenous inhabitants as well as the early European settlers, and right up to the twentieth century this was still a region of fisherman, lumberjacks, and miners. The communities that grew up here were small and isolated, and industrialization and urbanization only lightly touched most of the region, which meant that when the age of mass tourism arrived in the early-to- mid-20th century, there were plenty of "rustic" and "quaint" villages to see, but fewer good road or hotels. Today, however, tourism is one of the main industries here, which means that even in many very small towns quality accommodations and food are plentiful but also busy during high season (summer) and not as distinctly local as in years past, often being chain hotels and chain restaurants. And because of the climate, tourism here is based around a very short season indeed, with most visits happening in July and August. Nevertheless, the region can be extremely rewarding to many kinds of visitors. Archeology and history buffs will find ancient indigenous sites, Viking settlements, early European outposts, huge reconstructed French fortresses and British citadels, tall ships still being built, and preserved historic fishing villages. Sport fishers and foodies will both have access to fresh daily catches of seafood pulled from cold, clean waters. Outdoor enthusiasts will find beaches and forests to explore, plenty of golfing, and some of the world's best whale watching. And for those interested in learning about authentic local cultures, this is perhaps North America's most interesting place because it is truly multicultural and varied. Although this region conjures up Celtic images for Canadians, on account of the Scottish and Irish heritage many people in this provinces, here each peninsula and valley has a distinct local heritage, drawing from indigenous (Mi'kmaq, Innu, and Inuit), European (English, French, Irish, Scottish and German), and even African-American and Jamaican sources.