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- Destinations
- North America
- Canada
- Halifax
Halifax
Halifax is the provincial capital of Nova Scotia and also serves
as the centre of commerce for the whole of Atlantic Canada. It is
sited opposite its twin city of Dartmouth, across the Bedford
Basin, on the second-largest natural harbour in the world (the
largest is Sydney, Australia), and has long been an important
maritime centre. Halifax Harbour extends for 10 miles (16km) and is
home to North America's oldest yacht club, Northwest Arm. Two toll
bridges span the harbour and a passenger ferry connects Halifax and
Dartmouth.
Halifax was founded in 1749 by the British in an effort to
strengthen their presence in the North Atlantic, and the city
retains its British military air. Many historic stone and wood
buildings have been preserved, particularly in its restored
waterfront area that has become a major tourist attraction,
offering shopping, nightlife, entertainment and restaurants.
Halifax is the cultural hub of Nova Scotia and for the Atlantic
provinces as a whole. It has a number of art galleries, museums,
theatres, and other entertainment facilities, and is home to the
Nova Scotia Symphony, and many cultural festivals like the Nova
Scotia International Tattoo, Shakespeare By the Sea, The Halifax
International Busker Festival, Greekfest, and the Atlantic Film
Festival. Visitors can find out more about the city's culture from
its free alternative arts weekly magazine, The Coast. The city also
offers a range of activity sites like beaches, parks, and walking
trails, and some 'living history' experiences like the firing of
the noon day gun at the Halifax Citadel and the working locks of
the Shubenacadie Canal.
Information & Facts
Climate
It's position on the coast ensures that Halifax experiences less
extremes in its climate compared to inland Nova Scotia. Spring
arrives in April, marred by rain and fog, but as summer moves in
conditions warm up and balmy ocean breezes blow the damp away.
Autumn is a beautiful season, the days warm, nights cool, and the
foliage taking on spectacular hues. Winters are cold and wet, with
both rain and snow.
Getting Around
Central Halifax can be covered on foot, but those who want to
explore further afield (and there is plenty to see!) are advised to
hire a car. Metro Transit does provide a bus service in the city
and to surrounding areas and runs passenger ferries from the
terminal at Lower Water Street to Dartmouth. Free transfers are
available from the ferry to the buses. Cabs can be hailed in the
downtown area, and there are taxi ranks at the main hotels and
shopping centres.
Language
The official languages are English and French
(predominantly in Quebec).
Money
The currency used is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), which is divided
into 100 cents. One-dollar coins are also known as loonies (due to
the picture of a loon, a type of bird, on the coin), and two-dollar
coins as toonies. Banks and bureaux de change will change money and
travellers cheques, as will some hotels, but the rate will not be
as good. Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are
plentiful. US Dollars are largely accepted, though due to fraud,
larger notes might not be and change is usually given in Canadian
dollars.
Time
Canada covers six time zones, from GMT 8 in the west to GMT
-3.5 in the east.