New Brunswick: A Sprawling Acreage

New Brunswick is one of Canada's Maritime Provinces, with a land area of 28,400 square miles (73,500 square kilometres). The province is almost rectangular in shape and is surrounded by Quebec, Nova Scotia, the US state of Maine, and the Atlantic Ocean. New Brunswick has a rich cultural heritage, with a blend of French, British, Scottish, and Irish traditions, and is known for its natural beauty, friendly communities, and vibrant festivals. The province offers abundant job opportunities and a low cost of living, making it an attractive destination for those seeking a small-town charm alongside modern cities.

New Brunswick's land and water area

New Brunswick, one of Canada's Maritime provinces, has a total land and water area of 72,908 square kilometres. The province is almost rectangular in shape, spanning 322 kilometres from north to south and 242 kilometres from east to west. It is surrounded by water on three sides, with the Baie des Chaleurs, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Northumberland Strait to the east, and the Bay of Fundy to the south.

The province's landscape is diverse, with mountainous regions in the north, including Mount Carleton, the tallest peak in the Maritimes, and a rolling plateau in the interior that is flatter in the east and hillier in the southeast. The major river systems in New Brunswick include the Saint John River, the Petitcodiac River, the Miramichi River, the St. Croix River, and the Restigouche River. The Saint John River is notable for being the second-longest river on the North American eastern seaboard between the St. Lawrence River and the Mississippi River.

The province lies entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range, which has shaped the landscape with river valleys and low, gently rolling hills. The Chaleur Uplands, the Notre Dame Mountains, the New Brunswick Highlands, and the Lowlands are the four distinct zones that make up the province's geography.

The land in New Brunswick is primarily used for forestry and agriculture, with about 80% of the province being forested and the remaining 20% consisting of agricultural land and urban areas. The Upper Saint John River Valley is the most extensive area of arable land in the province, with smaller amounts found in the southeast.

New Brunswick's coastline spans 1,398 miles, featuring three distinct coastlines. The Bay of Fundy, located along the southern coast, is known for having the highest tides on Earth.

The province's major river systems

The Canadian province of New Brunswick has a roughly rectangular shape and is bordered by Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the southeast, the US state of Maine to the west, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait to the east. The province is home to several major river systems that play a crucial role in shaping its geography, ecology, and economy. Here is an overview of New Brunswick's major river systems:

The Saint John River

The Saint John River (also known as Wolastoq) is one of the province's most prominent waterways. It is the second-largest river system on North America's Atlantic coastline and extends from the northwest point of New Brunswick to the southern coast, where it empties into the Bay of Fundy at Saint John. The river is approximately 451 miles (725 kilometers) long and waters the fertile lands of the western part of the province. The high tides of the Bay of Fundy have a unique effect on the Saint John River, causing the rapids at its mouth to reverse and raising the water level of the lower river for up to 95 miles inland. The Saint John River is also known for its tributaries and lake-size arms, including Grand Lake, located about 60 miles inland.

The Miramichi River

The Miramichi River is another significant river system in New Brunswick. It has several branches, including the Northwest Miramichi, Southwest Miramichi, and their respective tributaries. The Miramichi River and its tributaries flow through the northern and central parts of the province and are known for their natural beauty and ecological importance.

The Restigouche River

The Restigouche River is a major waterway in the eastern part of New Brunswick. It flows through the northern regions of the province and has a significant impact on the surrounding landscape and ecology.

The Nepisiguit River

The Nepisiguit River is another vital component of New Brunswick's water network. It rises in the northwestern corner of the province and flows southeastward, playing a crucial role in shaping the region's geography and ecology.

The Petitcodiac River

The Petitcodiac River is a shorter river system compared to the others mentioned, but it still holds significance in the southeastern part of the province. It flows through the region, contributing to the province's diverse landscape and aquatic ecosystems.

These river systems are integral to New Brunswick's environment and have influenced the province's history, culture, and economic activities, such as agriculture, forestry, and fishing. They provide essential habitats for various plant and animal species and offer recreational opportunities for residents and tourists alike.

The province's climate

New Brunswick, one of Canada's Maritime provinces, has a varied climate. The province experiences snowy winters and temperate summers, with a humid continental climate overall. The climate is generally drier and warmer inland than in the coastal areas. The temperature varies across the province, with the highest recorded temperature being 103° F (39.4° C) on 18 August 1935 at Nepisiguit Falls, and the lowest being -53° F (-47.2° C) on 2 February 1955 at Sisson Dam.

The northern half of New Brunswick is occupied by the Appalachians, and the province is about 83% forested. The northern part of the province is mountainous, with the tallest peak being Mount Carleton, which rises to 2,690 feet (820 meters). The interior consists mainly of a rolling plateau, flatter in the east and more hilly in the southeast.

The province is bordered by Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the northeast, the Bay of Fundy to the southeast, and the US state of Maine to the west. The Saint John River, the second-largest river system on North America's Atlantic coastline, extends from the northwest point of the province to the southern coast, where it empties into the Bay of Fundy at Saint John.

New Brunswick has three distinct coastlines that together span 1,398 miles (2,250 km). The beach waters on the province's Gulf of St. Lawrence coast are the warmest of any along the Atlantic north of Virginia. The Bay of Fundy, located on the province's southern coast, has the highest tides on earth and is a pristine sanctuary for rare and unusual marine creatures.

The province's demographics

New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and the only officially bilingual province (French and English) in the country. The province's population was estimated to be 729,997 in 2006, with the majority being English-speaking and a substantial French-speaking minority of mostly Acadian origin. New Brunswick is home to First Nations groups such as the Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet), who were the first inhabitants of the region. The Acadians, descendants of French settlers and Indigenous peoples of Acadia, were expelled by the British in 1755 for refusing to pledge allegiance to King George II. Many English-Canadians in New Brunswick are descended from Loyalists who fled the American Revolution, which is reflected in the province's motto, "Spem reduxit" ("hope was restored").

The province has a diverse population, with people of Irish, Scottish, and Danish ancestry also present. The city of Saint John and the Miramichi Valley are home to significant populations of Irish descent, while people of Scottish descent are scattered throughout, with higher concentrations in Miramichi and Campbellton. A small group of Danish origin can be found in New Denmark in the northwest of the province.

In terms of religion, New Brunswick stands out as the only province besides Quebec where Catholics form the religious majority. In 2001, 54% of the population identified as Catholic, while 36.5% were Protestant, including Baptists, Anglicans, and Pentecostals. The province also has a small number of Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus.

The population of New Brunswick is largely urban, with the largest city being Moncton and the capital being Fredericton. The province has a high proportion of bilingual individuals, with about 33.2% of the population reporting the ability to speak both English and French. This bilingual status is enshrined in both provincial and federal law, ensuring that government services are provided in the official language of an individual's choice.

New Brunswick's population is relatively evenly split between those of French and English heritage, in contrast to Ontario and Quebec, where the minority language communities make up less than 10% of the population. This unique linguistic landscape has led to the development of French and English language hospitals, healthcare networks, school systems, universities, and media outlets within the province.

In 2001, the median age in New Brunswick was 38.6, with seniors aged 65 and older making up 14% of the population. The province has experienced a decline in the number of preschool children aged 4 and under, with a 20% decrease between 1991 and 2001.

The province's economy and industries

New Brunswick is Canada's largest Maritime Province, with a surface area of 72,908 square kilometres (or 28,150 square miles). It is one of four Atlantic provinces on the East Coast of Canada, and the only officially bilingual province, with French and English recognised as official languages.

New Brunswick has a diverse economy, with a mix of traditional, resource-based, value-added, and knowledge/technology-sector industries. The province's economy is largely controlled by the Irving Group of Companies, which has significant holdings in agriculture, forestry, food processing, freight transport, media, oil, and shipbuilding.

The province's GDP in 2002 was derived from the following sectors: services (including government services and public administration) 43%; construction, manufacturing, and utilities 24%; real estate rental 12%; wholesale and retail 11%; agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, mining, oil, and gas extraction 5%; and transportation and warehousing 5%.

The Irving Group's influence on the province is notable, with the group receiving about $10 billion in capital in 2016 from the 200 or so companies it controls. The group has a monopoly over the sale of English-language newspapers in the province, and its media outlets have been accused of bias towards the Irving Group's interests.

Agriculture

The agriculture sector in New Brunswick is substantial, with over 13,000 people working in the industry and products worth over $1 billion. Half of the agricultural output is from crops, and half of that is from potatoes, mostly grown in the Saint John River valley. New Brunswick is also a large producer of wild blueberries, apples, cranberries, and maple syrup. The livestock sector is worth about a quarter of a billion dollars, with dairy making up nearly half of that. Other sectors include poultry, fur, and goats, sheep, and pigs.

Forestry

Forestry is a historically important industry in New Brunswick, accounting for more than 80% of exports in the mid-1800s. About 83-90% of the province is forested, and forestry practices have evolved from controlled harvests to forest cultivation. The industry employs nearly 12,000 people and generates around $437 million in revenue.

Mining and Quarrying

While historically unimportant, mining has grown in New Brunswick since the 1950s. The province's GDP from mining and quarrying was $299.5 million in 2015, with mines producing lead, zinc, copper, and potash.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is a key industry in New Brunswick, with the province being a leader in forest management. McCain Foods, one of the world's largest manufacturers of frozen potato products, is based in the province. Other manufacturing industries include textiles, iron mills, pulp and paper mills, and sugar refineries.

Tourism

Tourism is an important contributor to the province's economy, accounting for about 9% of the labour force directly or indirectly. Popular destinations include Fundy National Park, the Hopewell Rocks, Kouchibouguac National Park, and Roosevelt Campobello International Park. In 2015, spending on non-resident tourism was $441 million, providing $87 million in tax revenue.

Other Industries

Other industries in New Brunswick include aquaculture, fisheries, education, early childhood development, finance, transportation, and infrastructure. The province also has a growing technology sector, with world-class communications infrastructure and access to fibre connectivity, high-speed data, and rural broadband.

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