Leslie Massey
New Brunswick, Canada, is a nature lover's dream. Located on the Atlantic Coast, it is known for its stunning natural wonders, including the Bay of Fundy, which boasts the highest tides in the world, and the Hopewell Rocks, an impressive display of rock formations shaped by the tides. New Brunswick is heavily forested, with about 80%-85% of its land covered in woodland, and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including moose and bears. The province offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and whale-watching.
New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with English and French having equal status. The province has a rich history, with French settlers initially claiming the area, then known as Acadia, before the British took over in 1713. The French defended the area but were defeated in the 1750s, and most French Acadian settlers were expelled, although many later returned.
The largest city in New Brunswick is Moncton, known for its robust economy and diverse culture. The capital, Fredericton, is a tight-knit community with a growing commercial sector, while Saint John, the most industrial city, is a major port and manufacturing centre.
New Brunswick offers a high quality of life with well-priced real estate and free universal healthcare. The province has a continental climate, with cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Overall, New Brunswick is a beautiful and welcoming place to live, work, and explore.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Eastern Canada |
| Area | 28,150 sq mi |
| Borders | Quebec (north), Maine (west), Prince Edward Island (east), Nova Scotia (south) |
| Topography | Rolling hills, Appalachian Mountains |
| Highest peak | Mount Carleton (2690 ft) |
| Coastline | Bay of Fundy, Acadian Peninsula, Chaleur Bay, Northumberland Strait |
| Climate | Humid continental |
| Forest cover | 80-85% |
| Population | 770,000 |
| Main cities | Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton |
| Economy | Food production, paper, wood products, metal goods, mineral products, machinery, IT |
| Attractions | Bay of Fundy, Hopewell Rocks, Fundy National Park, Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Kingsbrae Garden, Swallowtail Lightstation, Fredericton Farmers Market, Village Historique Acadien, Mount Carleton Provincial Park, Miramichi River |
What You'll Learn
- The climate is humid continental, with cold winters and warm summers
- It's Canada's only bilingual province, with French and English speakers
- The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world
- The cost of living is low, with affordable real estate
- The economy is based on food production, paper, and wood products
The climate is humid continental, with cold winters and warm summers
New Brunswick, Canada, has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. The winters are cold and snowy, while the summers are warm with cooler evenings. Autumn and spring are relatively mild.
New Brunswick is one of the warmer regions in Canada, with an average daily high of 11 degrees Celsius. The climate is similar to Central Europe, with a few beautiful summer months and cold weather from November to April. May to September is the best time to visit New Brunswick to take advantage of the warmer temperatures.
The relative humidity in New Brunswick can reach 80% in November, making it quite uncomfortable for some. In May, the humidity drops to a pleasant 66%.
New Brunswick's landscape is characterised by forested hills, with rivers cutting through them. About 80% of the land is covered in woodland, inhabited by wildlife such as moose and bears. The region also boasts 2,250km of coastline along the Atlantic Coast.
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It's Canada's only bilingual province, with French and English speakers
New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with French and English recognised as its official languages. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms specifically recognises this, and the Charter also states that both Anglophone and Francophone communities in the province have equality of status and equal rights and privileges. This means that, for example, provincial government institutions such as departments, Crown corporations, hospitals and police services are obliged to serve members of the public in the official language of their choice.
Upon first contact, provincial institutions must offer services in both official languages. This is called an 'active offer'. For example, when a member of the public phones a provincial department, the employee who answers must greet them in both English and French. This lets the caller know that they can be served in the language of their choice.
The Official Languages Act does not, however, apply to schools, school districts, public schools, community centres, community colleges, or universities. Private companies also do not have to offer services in both languages, although if they are providing a service on behalf of the New Brunswick government, they must serve people in the official language of their choice.
The Act in no way forces people to be bilingual. However, a sufficient number of positions in government departments and agencies must be filled by people who can communicate in both official languages, so that the departments and agencies can serve the public equally.
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The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world
Located between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Bay of Fundy is part of the Gulf of Maine and opens into the Atlantic Ocean. The Bay of Fundy is known for its powerful tides, which even reverse the flow of water in rivers leading into it, showcasing one of nature's most dynamic and spectacular marine movements.
The magnitude of the tides is influenced by the unique characteristics of the regional geography and various atmospheric conditions. The Bay of Fundy's unique funnel shape synergises with sea resonance to magnify the tidal effect. The configuration of the land, along with the seafloor's topography, acts like a funnel, channelling the water and intensifying the height of the tides. The Bay of Fundy's natural period of oscillation is somewhere between 12 and 13 hours, which is in perfect sync with the Atlantic Ocean tide flooding into the bay every 12 hours and 26 minutes, resulting in "resonance".
The Bay of Fundy's remarkable tidal activity has shaped the environment, economy, and culture of the region. The effect of the world's highest tides on the Bay's shores has created dramatic cliffs and sea stacks. The red sandstone and volcanic rock have been worn away to reveal fossils from over 300 million years ago. The immense energy of the tides stirs up nutrients from the ocean floor, providing an abundance of food for the birds, whales, fish, and bottom-dwellers that visit or call the Bay of Fundy home.
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The cost of living is low, with affordable real estate
New Brunswick offers a lower cost of living than most provinces in Canada. The cost of living per month in New Brunswick is $612 for a person and $1898 for a family of four, excluding rent in both cases. The average salary is $65,910 per year, which is among the lowest in Canada.
The cost of housing in New Brunswick is less expensive than the Canadian average. The average house price in New Brunswick is $185,200, though some sources state the average is lower, at $155,000 or $192,000. In the cities of Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John, the average house price ranges from $187,000 to $216,000.
The average household income percentage taken up by ownership costs ranges between 21 to 31% depending on the type of home. Rental prices vary depending on location, size, and type of house. For instance, a cheap one-bedroom apartment costs $487, and a one-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $647. A three-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $1023, and a cheap three-bedroom apartment costs $749.
Utility costs are also lower than the national average. The cost of essential utilities in New Brunswick, including electricity, heating, cooling, garbage disposal, and water for an individual, is $87.7 per month and $135 per month for a family.
New Brunswick is perfect for those looking to own property, especially those looking to buy mortgage-free. It is not, however, a place for those seeking a high-powered, fast-moving career path or a cosmopolitan nightlife.
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The economy is based on food production, paper, and wood products
New Brunswick, Canada is known for its unique microclimates, which are ideal for farmers, fishermen, and food producers. The province's economy is largely based on food production, as well as paper and wood products.
Food Production
New Brunswick's agricultural sector benefits from the province's diverse microclimates, which enable the production of a wide range of food products, including seafood, agri-food, and beverages. The province is known for its high-quality, delicious food exports, which are supplied to over 70 countries worldwide. New Brunswick's seafood offerings are particularly renowned, with lobster, shrimp, and seafood potato dishes forming part of the local cuisine. The province also has a strong focus on sustainability, aiming to preserve its land, waterways, and natural resources while promoting sustainable practices in food production.
Paper Products
Although specific information about the paper industry in New Brunswick is scarce, it is known that paper production contributes to the province's economy.
Wood Products
The province also has a thriving wood products industry. For example, ThermalWood Canada, a manufacturer of thermally modified wood products, is based in Bathurst, New Brunswick. This company uses domestic woods from New Brunswick to create exotic, dark brown wood products that are environmentally friendly, stable, and resistant to mould and insects. They supply wood products for various applications, including decking, siding, and musical instruments, showcasing the versatility of New Brunswick's wood resources.
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Frequently asked questions
New Brunswick has a humid continental climate, with warm summers, cold winters, and ample precipitation. Winters can be freezing and snowy, with temperatures dropping to -30 °C or lower. Summers can be fairly warm, with temperatures occasionally reaching 30/32 °C.
New Brunswick is home to many attractions, including the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world, and the Hopewell Rocks, unique rock formations carved by tidal erosion. The province also boasts beautiful national parks like Fundy National Park and Mount Carleton Provincial Park, as well as historic sites like the Village Historique Acadien and Roosevelt Campobello International Park.
The cost of living in New Brunswick is relatively affordable. Real estate prices are among the lowest in Canada, with the average house price being around $192,000 in 2020. Additionally, essential goods and services are cheaper than in other parts of the country.
New Brunswick offers a variety of job opportunities, especially in industries such as forestry, agriculture, tourism, retail trade, and small-scale manufacturing. The province also has a growing IT sector and a strong demand for bilingual individuals in finance and insurance.
New Brunswick is one of Canada's smallest provinces, with a population of around 770,000 people. It is the country's only officially bilingual province, with English and French having equal status. About one-third of the population is French-speaking, mainly in the northern part of the province, while the southern part is predominantly English-speaking. The province has a diverse population, with Scottish, Irish, English, and French descendants, as well as a small First Nations community.
