St. John's County: New Brunswick

Saint John is a seaport city located on the Bay of Fundy in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. It is Canada's oldest incorporated city, established by royal charter on May 18, 1785, during the reign of King George III. The city is split by the south-flowing St. John River and is bordered on the north by the Kennebecasis River. Saint John is the second-largest city in the province, with a population of 69,895 over an area of 315.59 km2. Saint John County, where the city is located, had a population of 76,558 in 2021.

Saint John is a seaport city

The Port of Saint John is a significant maritime hub, with facilities on both sides of the river. It is known for its extreme tidal range and river currents, which create a unique phenomenon called the Reversing Falls. During high tide, the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy reverse the flow of the Saint John River for several kilometres. The port is the third-largest in Canada by tonnage and handles various cargo types, including dry and liquid bulk, break bulk, containers, and cruise ships. The port has three container lines servicing it: MSC, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd.

Saint John has a rich history that dates back to the early 17th century when French explorer Samuel de Champlain landed at Saint John Harbour in 1604. The area was initially inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqiyik, who called the river "Wolastoq." The city was established by uniting two communities, Parr-town and Carleton, after the arrival of refugees from the newly formed United States following the American Revolution.

The city has a diverse economic base, with industries such as tourism, shipbuilding, shipping, and lumber trade contributing to its prosperity. Saint John is also known for its arts and culture scene, with museums, galleries, and performance venues like the Imperial Theatre. The city's location along the Bay of Fundy has been crucial to its economic development, attracting various industries and making it one of Canada's main ports.

Saint John is a chartered city with a municipal government consisting of a mayor and ten city councillors. It is part of the federal riding of Saint John—Rothesay and currently has a Liberal MP. The city has a population of approximately 69,895 residents, making it the second-largest city in the province of New Brunswick.

It is Canada's oldest incorporated city

Saint John, 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, which sat 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's status as Canada's oldest incorporated city is significant, as it highlights the city's long history and importance in the country's development. It has played a crucial role in trade and defence throughout its existence. The city was the most populous in New Brunswick until 2016 when it was overtaken by Moncton. Today, it is the second-largest city in the province, with a population of around 69,895 people.

Saint John has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from various immigrant groups over the years, including the Irish, who arrived in large numbers during the Great Famine in the 1840s. The city also has a diverse architectural landscape, with buildings spanning from the 19th and early 20th centuries, including styles such as Victorian, Romanesque Revival, and Second Empire.

The city's location on the Bay of Fundy has been crucial to its prosperity, with its year-round ice-free harbour facilitating shipping, shipbuilding, and fishing industries. Saint John was once British North America's biggest shipbuilding city, and it played a significant role in trade and defence during the French colonial era.

In addition to its economic significance, Saint John also boasts several cultural and natural attractions. These include the Stonehammer UNESCO Geopark, which features rock formations dating back to the Precambrian era, and the Reversing Falls, where the tides of the Bay of Fundy reverse the water flow of the Saint John River for several kilometres.

The city is split by the Saint John River

Saint John is a seaport city located on the Bay of Fundy in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. It is Canada's oldest incorporated city, established by royal charter on May 18, 1785, during the reign of George III. The city is split by the south-flowing Saint John River, which meets the Bay of Fundy at Saint John Harbour. The river's mouth is located at the northwest shore of the bay, and the harbour is a deep-water port that remains ice-free all year long.

The Saint John River is Eastern Canada's longest river at 673 kilometres (418 miles) long. Its drainage basin is one of the largest on the east coast, covering about 55,000 square kilometres (21,000 square miles). The river flows within the Dawnland region, from headwaters in the Notre Dame Mountains near the Maine-Quebec border, through western New Brunswick, to the Bay of Fundy. The river is mostly calm, except for waterfalls at Grand Falls and at the Beechwood Dam.

The city of Saint John is located on the north shore of the Bay of Fundy, at the mouth of the Saint John River. The city's land area is 315.96 square kilometres (121.99 square miles), and the metropolitan area covers 3,509.62 square kilometres (1,355.07 square miles). The topography surrounding Saint John is hilly due to the influence of two coastal mountain ranges that run along the Bay of Fundy: the St. Croix Highlands and the Caledonia Highlands.

The Saint John River has cultural significance for the indigenous peoples of the region. The river's original name, Wolastoq, means "bountiful and good" in the Maliseet language. The river and its tributary drainage basin formed the territorial countries of the Wolastoqiyik and Passamaquoddy First Nations (Wolastokuk and Peskotomuhkatik, respectively) prior to European colonisation. The river remains a cultural centre of the Wabanaki Confederacy to this day.

Saint John is the only city on the Bay of Fundy

Saint John, New Brunswick, is a seaport city located on the Bay of Fundy, in the south-central portion of the province. It is Canada's oldest incorporated city, established by royal charter in 1785. The city is located where the Saint John River meets the Bay of Fundy, and its harbour is a deep-water port that remains ice-free year-round.

The city's location on the Bay of Fundy has also contributed to its historical significance. The area was first inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqiyik, who called the river "Wolastoq". French explorer Samuel de Champlain landed at Saint John Harbour in 1604 and named the river after the feast day of St. John the Baptist. The Saint John area later became an important site for trade and defence during the French colonial era.

Today, Saint John is the second-largest city in New Brunswick, with a population of around 69,895. The city has a rich cultural history, with a variety of architectural styles and a thriving arts scene. It is also a major Canadian port and a popular tourist destination, offering visitors the chance to experience the natural wonders of the Bay of Fundy and the vibrant urban life of the city.

The city has a rich history of intersecting cultures

Saint John, New Brunswick, is Canada's oldest incorporated city, established by royal charter in 1785. The city has a rich history of intersecting cultures, with a diverse range of ethnic and cultural groups contributing to its development over the years.

Prior to the arrival of European colonists, the area was inhabited by the Maliseet and Miꞌkmaq First Nations. In 1604, French explorer Samuel de Champlain became the first European to visit the site, landing at Saint John Harbour on Saint John the Baptist Day and naming the river after himself. The French established a settlement in Saint John during the 17th century, and the city became the seat of administration under Charles de Saint-Étienne de la Tour during the Acadian Civil War. However, the French abandoned the city in 1755, and British forces took control soon after.

In the late 18th century, Saint John became a refuge for thousands of Loyalists fleeing the newly founded United States after the American Revolution. The city was also a destination for Irish migrants during the 19th century, particularly during the Great Famine. These immigrant groups brought their own cultural traditions and contributed to the city's diverse character.

The city's early economy was centred around the timber trade and shipbuilding, with the latter becoming a global industry for Saint John. The city's strategic location on the Bay of Fundy made it an ideal port, and it became a major centre for trade and defence. The intersection of cultures in Saint John is also reflected in its architecture, with a variety of styles from the 19th and early 20th centuries, including Victorian, Romanesque Revival, and Second Empire.

In addition to its European colonial history, Saint John has a long history of Black and Indigenous presence. Black Loyalists, who settled in the area after the American Revolution, faced restrictions on their rights and freedoms, and many were forced to settle in the area known as Portland, which later became part of the city. The city has also been inhabited by various Indigenous groups, including the Wolastoqiyik, Mi'kmaq, and Passamaquoddy Nations.

Today, Saint John is a diverse city with a range of cultural offerings, including art galleries, museums, and performing arts venues. The city's location on the Bay of Fundy remains crucial to its economy, with the Port of Saint John being the largest port by volume in Eastern Canada. Saint John's rich history and cultural intersections continue to shape its character and development.

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