New Brunswick's City Collection

New Brunswick, a province in Eastern Canada, is home to eight cities, 26 towns, and 61 villages. The province's population is approximately 747,101, making it the eighth most populous province in Canada. Moncton, the largest city in New Brunswick by population, has 79,470 residents, while Campbellton, the smallest city, has 7,049 people. Fredericton, the provincial capital, is the third-largest city.

Moncton, the largest city in New Brunswick

Moncton is the largest city in New Brunswick, Canada, with a population of 79,470 as of the 2021 census. It is situated in the Petitcodiac River Valley and lies at the geographic centre of the Maritime Provinces. Moncton was founded in 1766 by Pennsylvania Germans and was initially an agricultural settlement. The city is named after Lt. Col. Robert Monckton, a British officer who captured the nearby Fort Beauséjour a century earlier.

Moncton has a diverse and stable economy, primarily driven by its traditional transportation, distribution, retailing, and commercial heritage. The city has also seen strength in the educational, health care, financial, information technology, and insurance sectors. Moncton's economy has been resilient, rebounding strongly after the collapse of the shipbuilding industry in the 1860s and the closure of the CNR locomotive shops in the 1980s. The local unemployment rate consistently remains below the national average.

The city is known as the "Hub City" due to its central inland location and its history as a transportation hub for the Maritimes. Moncton has a well-connected transportation network, including the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport, which handles a significant volume of passenger and cargo traffic. The city is also served by highways, railways, and bus services, connecting it to other parts of New Brunswick and neighbouring provinces.

Moncton has a rich cultural life, with attractions such as the Capitol Theatre, the Aberdeen Cultural Centre, and the Université de Moncton, which is a focal point for Acadian culture in the area. The city also boasts a vibrant literary scene, hosting the annual Frye Festival in honour of literary critic Northrop Frye. Moncton offers a range of outdoor activities, including the popular Centennial Park and the unusual Magnetic Hill, which creates the illusion of uphill gravitation.

Moncton has a diverse population, with approximately 82.4% of residents of European ancestry and 14.9% belonging to visible minorities. The city is officially bilingual, with a significant proportion of its population speaking both English and French. This linguistic duality has made Moncton an attractive centre for federal employment and call centres.

Fredericton, the provincial capital

Fredericton is the provincial capital of New Brunswick, Canada, and its third-largest city. It is located in the west-central portion of the province, along the Saint John River, which is also known by its Indigenous name, Wolastoq. The river is the dominant natural feature of the area, flowing west to east as it bisects the city. Fredericton is a hub of culture and education, and it serves as an important administrative and educational centre for the province.

The city has a rich history, dating back to the late 1600s when French colonists built Fort Nashwaak on the north side of the Saint John River as the capital of Acadia. In 1731, Acadians established the settlement of St. Anne's Point, which became a British garrison town in 1825. Fredericton was officially incorporated as a city in 1848 and has grown and evolved over the years.

Today, Fredericton boasts a diverse economy with a strong public sector presence as the provincial capital. It also has a growing IT and commercial sector, with the highest percentage of residents with post-secondary education in the province. The city is known for its cultural and artistic offerings, including the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Fredericton Region Museum, and The Playhouse, a performing arts venue. Fredericton is home to several educational institutions, including the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University.

The city has a population of approximately 58,000 to 63,000 people and is known for its vibrant music and arts scene. It hosts various festivals throughout the year, such as the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, attracting regional and international artists. Fredericton's literary tradition is also notable, with several renowned writers having lived or worked in the city. The city's landscape is characterised by its location on the river, with most of the suburban development occurring on the gently sloping hills alongside it. Fredericton's climate is typical of a warm-summer humid continental climate, with short, warm summers and long, cold winters, along with high humidity and precipitation year-round.

Dieppe, a francophone city

New Brunswick, a province in eastern Canada, is home to eight cities, including Dieppe, a francophone city. Dieppe, officially incorporated as a city in 2003, is the fourth-largest city in the province, with a population of 25,384. The city is located along the east bank of the Petitcodiac River and is part of the Greater Moncton Area.

Dieppe has a unique history, as it was named in honour of the devastating World War II Dieppe Raid, which took place in Dieppe, France, on August 19, 1942. The city has strong francophone roots, with around three-quarters of the population speaking both French and English. This sets Dieppe apart from the rest of the province, as most of New Brunswick's population is not bilingual, despite it being officially bilingual.

The first settlers arrived in the Dieppe area around 1730, and the city became a town in 1952 after the annexation of Lakeburn in 1948. In 1973, several villages, including Saint-Anselme, Chartersville, and Fox Creek, were amalgamated into Dieppe. The city has shown an impressive growth rate in recent decades and is now a thriving suburban community. It is also a regional hub, with a growing industrial park and a large regional shopping centre.

Dieppe's sister city, Dieppe, France, is located in Upper Normandy and has a long history of cultural exchange with its Canadian namesake. The French city was the site from which Samuel de Champlain departed in 1604 to establish the first French settlement in Acadia, now a part of Canada's Maritime provinces. This historical connection, along with the shared francophone culture, led to the declaration of the two Dieppes as sister cities in April 2000.

Campbellton, the smallest city

New Brunswick, Canada, is home to eight cities, with the smallest being Campbellton. Located in Restigouche County, on the south bank of the Restigouche River, Campbellton is the province's least populous city, with 7,049 residents, according to the 2021 Canadian census. The city's population falls below the 10,000-resident threshold required for city incorporation in New Brunswick, but it retains its status as it was incorporated before 1967.

Campbellton's history is deeply rooted in the Restigouche River and the Atlantic salmon that populate it. The city's early development was influenced by the salmon fishing industry, attracting settlers and contributing to its growth. The city's historical connection to the river is commemorated by a stainless steel salmon statue, named Restigouche Sam. The Restigouche Valley also attracts wealthy sport fishermen every summer, boosting the local economy.

Campbellton has a rich and varied history, with the area being settled by the French in the 1700s and later influenced by Scottish immigrants. The Battle of the Restigouche in 1760, the final naval battle between the English and French for possession of North America, was a pivotal moment in the city's past. The city also boasts a diverse cultural heritage, with influences from the Mi'gmaq, Scottish, French, and Acadians. This tricultural heritage is showcased in the Restigouche Gallery, highlighting the cultural strength of the region.

The city's landscape is characterised by its location along the Restigouche River and its proximity to the Appalachian Mountain Range. The Waterfront Esplanade and Sugarloaf Mountain offer scenic views and outdoor recreational opportunities for visitors and residents alike. Campbellton's small-town charm and natural beauty make it a unique destination, easily accessible via the J.C. Van Horne Interprovincial Bridge to Quebec.

Saint John, the oldest incorporated city

New Brunswick, a province in eastern Canada, is home to eight cities, 26 towns, and 61 villages. The province's eight cities are Bathurst, Campbellton, Dieppe, Edmundston, Fredericton (the provincial capital), Miramichi, Moncton, and Saint John.

Saint John, located on the Bay of Fundy in the south-central portion of New Brunswick, is Canada's oldest incorporated city. It was established by royal charter on May 18, 1785, during the reign of King George III. The city was formed by uniting the two communities of Parr-town and Carleton, situated on either side of the harbour. This union was prompted by the arrival of thousands of refugees from the newly founded United States who wished to remain British following the American Revolution.

Saint John has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Prior to European colonisation, the area was inhabited by the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations. In 1604, French explorer Samuel de Champlain landed at Saint John Harbour and named the river after St. John the Baptist. During the French colonial era, Saint John served as an important trade and defence post for Acadia, with Fort La Tour in the city's harbour playing a pivotal role during the Acadian Civil War.

After over a century of ownership disputes between the French and English, the British gained control of the region in 1755. Following the American Revolution, Saint John became a refuge for American Loyalists, including a significant number of Black Loyalists. The city's charter, granted in 1785, excluded non-Loyalists and people of colour from various rights and freedoms, leading to the development of the town of Portland just north of Saint John, where anyone could live and work freely.

In the 19th century, Saint John became a leading industrial centre, particularly in shipbuilding. The city experienced a large influx of Irish immigrants during the Great Famine in the 1840s, shaping its culture and earning it the nickname "Canada's most Irish City." Saint John's diverse population also includes early British, French, and Irish settlers, as well as later waves of immigration from various parts of the world.

Today, Saint John is the second-largest city in New Brunswick, with a population of around 69,895 residents and an area of 315.59 square kilometres (121.85 square miles). It is known for its port, which is Canada's third-largest by tonnage, and its rich architectural heritage, featuring a range of styles from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The city also boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, with venues such as the Imperial Theatre and various art galleries showcasing the talents of local artists.

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