New Brunswick's Stem-Focused Majors

New Brunswick is a province in eastern Canada, and one of the country's four Atlantic provinces. It is the only officially bilingual province, with both English and French as its official languages. 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 U.S. state of Maine to the west. New Brunswick is known for its natural beauty, with attractions such as the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides on earth, and Mount Carleton, the highest peak in the Maritimes. The province's largest cities are Moncton and Saint John, while its capital is Fredericton.

New Brunswick's economy

Agriculture is another key sector, with New Brunswick being the biggest producer of wild blueberries in Canada in 2015. The livestock sector is also significant, with a value of about a quarter of a billion dollars, nearly half of which comes from dairy. Other agricultural products include apples, cranberries, potatoes, and maple syrup.

Fishing and mining are also important contributors to the economy. New Brunswick has a diverse mining industry, producing lead, zinc, copper, and potash. The province's seafood products, particularly lobster, are a major export, with the United States being the largest export market, accounting for 92% of foreign trade in 2014.

In addition, New Brunswick has a modern service-based economy, with financial and insurance industries playing a leading role. The province is also home to heavy industries, particularly in Saint John, with manufacturing being a major employer. Food and beverages, pulp and paper, furniture, metal processing, and transportation equipment are among the top manufacturing industries.

Tourism is another significant sector, with popular destinations such as Fundy National Park and the Hopewell Rocks, contributing to about 9% of the labour force directly or indirectly.

A large portion of New Brunswick's economy is controlled by the Irving Group of Companies, with significant holdings in various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, media, oil, and shipbuilding.

The province offers a low cost of doing business, a skilled workforce, world-class communication infrastructure, and a competitive corporate tax structure, making it an attractive location for expansion and investment.

New Brunswick's history

New Brunswick has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Here is an overview of the province's history, from its early indigenous inhabitants to its present-day status as a Canadian province.

Indigenous Societies and European Exploration

Paleo-Indians are believed to have been the first humans to inhabit the land of New Brunswick around 10,000 years ago. The Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy were among the First Nations groups that lived in the region for millennia before European colonization.

The first documented European exploration of New Brunswick was made by French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1534, when he explored the coasts of Chaleur Bay and made contact with the indigenous people.

Acadia and Nova Scotia (1604-1784)

In 1604, the French established the colony of Acadia, with the creation of Port-Royal. For the next 150 years, Acadia changed hands multiple times between France and the United Kingdom. The British deported Acadians en masse during the Great Upheaval from 1755 to 1764, solidifying Acadia as British property.

British Colony of New Brunswick (1784-1866)

Following the American Revolution, around 14,000 Loyalist refugees settled in the region, leading to the creation of the colony of New Brunswick in 1784. The colony was named after the German duchy of Brunswick-Lunenburg and its capital, Fredericton, was named after King George III's son, Prince Frederick.

Canadian Province (1867-present)

In 1867, New Brunswick joined Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada (now Ontario and Quebec) to form the Dominion of Canada. The province experienced economic challenges due to declining shipbuilding and lumbering industries, as well as protectionist trade policies.

In the early 20th century, the economy began to improve with the growth of new industries, such as textile manufacturing and pulp and paper mills. However, the Great Depression of the 1930s brought another period of economic hardship.

In the latter half of the 20th century, New Brunswick saw significant developments, including the emergence of powerful corporate groups like the Irving Group of Companies and the adoption of the Official Languages Act in 1969, making it the only officially bilingual province in Canada.

Today, New Brunswick continues to be a predominantly rural province, with a diverse population and a growing economy driven by various industries, including agriculture, forestry, and tourism.

New Brunswick's geography

New Brunswick is one of Canada's thirteen provinces and territories, and one of the four Atlantic provinces. It 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 U.S. state of Maine to the west. The province covers 72,908 square kilometres (or 28,150 square miles) and is roughly rectangular in shape, spanning about 340 kilometres (210 miles) from north to south and 300 kilometres (185 miles) from east to west.

The geography of New Brunswick is characterised by its northern uplands, central and eastern rolling hills, and rugged southern terrain. The province is part of the Appalachian region, and its northern reaches are dominated by mountains that are part of the Appalachian Range. The highest point in the province is Mount Carleton, which stands at 820 metres (2,690 feet) above sea level. The interior of the province consists mostly of rolling plateaus covered by forests, with about 83% of the province's land area being forested. The eastern region is fairly flat, while the southern coast features tidal marshes and lowlands.

The province's landscape is shaped by its extensive river system, with the majestic St. John River, often referred to as "The Rhine of North America," splitting the province from north to south. Other notable rivers include the Miramichi, Restigouche, Nepisiguit, Salmon, St. Croix, and Tobique rivers. The Bay of Fundy, known for its extremely high tides, forms the southeastern boundary of the province.

New Brunswick experiences a blend of coastal and inland climates, with January generally being the coldest month and July the warmest. The province's climate is moderated by its proximity to the ocean, resulting in mild summers and relatively mild winters compared to other parts of Canada. The recorded temperature has ranged from -47.2°C (-53°F) in the northwest to 39.4°C (102.9°F) in the northeast. Summers are typically warm and comfortable, with average daytime highs along the Bay of Fundy coast varying between 20°C and 22°C. Spring and autumn bring many pleasant but cooler days, with ample rainfall during the growing season.

New Brunswick's climate

New Brunswick has a continental climate with snowy winters and temperate summers. As one of the warmer regions in Canada, it has an average daily high temperature of 11°C or 53.8°F. The climate is comparable to Central European weather conditions, with cold, wet weather and a few beautiful summer months. The best time to visit is from May to September, with July and August being the peak season for visitation.

New Brunswick's capital, Fredericton, is situated inland, resulting in higher summer temperatures and lower winter temperatures than coastal locations in the province, such as Saint John and Moncton. Fredericton has a semi-continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. Snow depths of more than 1 cm are observed on about 105 days each year, and the city enjoys a sunny climate, averaging 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.

The province's winter weather is colder than that of its eastern neighbours due to its distance from the ocean. New Brunswick also receives more snow than the other Maritime Provinces, especially in its interior and northern regions. The coastal cities of Saint John and Moncton experience more moderate temperatures year-round, but spring and early summer often bring fog to the Bay of Fundy coastal communities.

Southern New Brunswick's summer temperatures usually peak around midday and then drop slightly with the afternoon sea breeze. However, the province's temperatures can shift dramatically from day to day, regardless of the season.

New Brunswick's culture

New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with French and English sharing equal status. The province's linguistic diversity is reflected in its cultural offerings, including world-class theatre, music, dance, and art.

Music has always been an important part of New Brunswick's history and culture. The province is home to well-known music festivals such as the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, FrancoFête en Acadie, and the Miramichi Folksong Festival. From folk music to classical, country to rock and roll, there is something to interest everyone.

New Brunswick also boasts renowned local artists and artisans, as well as galleries that feature both national and international artwork. Visitors can explore the internationally acclaimed Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Owens Art Gallery, and the Galerie d'art Louise et Reuben-Cohen de l'Université de Moncton, among others.

The province's vibrant performing arts scene includes Theatre New Brunswick, one of Canada's leading English-language regional theatre companies, and Théâtre l'Escaouette, a renowned francophone professional theatre company based in Moncton. World-class productions regularly grace the stages of historic theatres such as the Fredericton Playhouse, the Capitol Theatre in Moncton, and the Imperial Theatre in Saint John.

New Brunswick's culinary scene is equally impressive, with restaurants that satisfy the most demanding taste buds. The province also offers flourishing live music scenes and arts communities, making it a place full of life and imagination.

In addition to its cultural offerings, New Brunswick has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The province's first residents were the Maliseet and Mi'kmaq people, whose history is preserved at the Augustine Mound erected near Metepnákiaq. The province's oldest surviving community dates back to around 800 BC, although it wasn't until 1534 that Jacques Cartier laid eyes on New Brunswick. The province became a British territory in 1710 after over a century of battles between France and Great Britain.

New Brunswick has a diverse population, with the English-speaking majority consisting largely of descendants of Scottish, Irish, and English settlers, as well as those descended from Loyalists who fled the American Revolution. The French-speaking minority, which makes up about one-third of the population, consists of the descendants of 17th-century Acadian settlers and French Canadians from Quebec.

The province's cultural experiences also extend to its natural wonders, including its beautiful forests, rivers, lakes, and seashore. These attractions draw tourists, hunters, and sport fishermen from all over.

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