Nova Scotia Cottages and Hotels-A History of Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia's proximity to the sea, its cultural heritage and history, its wild beauty combined with hospitable and attractive people make it a marvelous place to visit during any season. The province varies from countryside to the highlands of Cape Breton, which some say looks like Scotland, which is where it got its name. In addition, there are the warm water beaches of the Northumberland Strait and the peaceful orchards of the Annapolis Valley.

Be sure and take in the Kejimkujik National Park on the southern shore, along with beautiful coastal scenery peppered with picturesque fishing villages. Of course, if you're hooked on urban living and life, then don't fail to visit Halifax the largest city of the province.

The area that is present day Nova Scotia was originally settled by the Mi'kmaq Indians, some 11,000 years before the first European explorers arrived sometime around 1497. They sailed in under the British flag, but were in fact French by birth. The French settlers founded Port Royal and lived and prospered until the British King took the lands away and deeded them to someone else. The new land was to be called "New Scotland" or Nova Scotia since the warrant was written in Latin. This move kicked off years and years of strife between French and British armies who came and went fighting for control of the region.

When Halifax was founded in 1749 the region was ceded to the British. This led to an influx of Scottish settlers, many of whom settled on Cape Breton Island. In addition many empire loyalists and Blacks seeking to escape the American Revolutionary War also arrived lending cultural color to the region. Halifax became a major port for the clipper ships of the time. Fishing remains a major industry to this day. Some of the types of fish include Cod, mackerel, scallops, lobster and herring. In the past, the coastline was home to pirates and rum runners.

.Forestry, pulp and paper industries are also very important. There is a major steel plant at Sydney, and offshore oil has been discovered. Manufacturing is also increasing in importance. The apples of the Annapolis Valley are a major export, as are blueberries and Christmas trees. As well as being a major North American port, Halifax is an important center for oceanographic research. The provinces second most important industry is tourism. This is largely because of all that Nova Scotia has to offer the visitor, and the province's very successful and innovative promotion of its attractions.