New Brunswick: Bay Of Fundy And More

New Brunswick is best known for its stunning natural landscapes and unique attractions. It is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with English and French recognised as its official languages. It is one of the four original provinces that formed the national confederation in 1867.

New Brunswick is known for its vast wilderness, including pristine rivers, coastal islands and mountain forests. The Bay of Fundy, which features the world's highest tides, is a major draw for tourists. The province also boasts salmon-rich rivers, lush forests and pristine beaches.

New Brunswick has a rich history, having been inhabited by the Mi'kmaq, Maliseet and Passamaquoddy peoples. It was named after King George III, who was also Duke and Prince-elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire (now Germany). The province has contributed significantly to Canada's national life and has a deep cultural heritage.

The province is also known for its charming coastal towns and cities such as Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John, which offer world-class galleries, restaurants and entertainment.

Bilingualism

New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with French and English having equal status. The province's variety of French is called Acadian French, and 7 regional accents can be found.

The history of bilingualism in New Brunswick is complex and often contentious. In 1969, the province passed the Official Languages Act, which recognised French as an official language alongside English. This act also gave New Brunswickers the right to receive provincial government services in the official language of their choice.

Despite the official status of bilingualism, there have been ongoing linguistic tensions in the province. In recent years, there has been a push to improve bilingualism among the population, with announcements about enhancements for adult second language training and French immersion programs.

The benefits of bilingualism in New Brunswick are seen as contributing to both the social fabric and the economy of the province. The recognition of both English and French as official languages has opened doors to the francophone world and created economic opportunities, such as the contact centre industry, which employs thousands of people.

However, there are also challenges to maintaining bilingualism in New Brunswick. One challenge is the impact of being surrounded by English on the French language and culture. Francophones often find themselves speaking English, even when they intend to practice their French, as English is the dominant language in the province and across North America. This can make it difficult for anglophones to learn and practice French, and for francophones to maintain their language skills.

Another challenge is the perception that bilingualism creates more difficulties for anglophones in terms of employment and education. Some anglophones feel that they have not been given a fair chance to become bilingual and that francophone institutions are unfair or unnecessary.

Despite these challenges, bilingualism in New Brunswick is a hard-earned constitutional right that brings many benefits to the province. The recognition of both English and French as official languages has helped to create a sense of unity and mutual respect between the two linguistic communities.

Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy is a bay between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine. It is an arm of the Gulf of Maine and is best known for having the highest tidal range in the world. The tidal range in the Bay of Fundy is about 16 metres (52 feet), whereas the average tidal range worldwide is only one metre (3.3 feet). Some tides are higher than others, depending on the position of the moon, the sun, and atmospheric conditions.

The powerful tides that flow through the channel are a result of tidal resonance in the funnel-shaped bay. In one 12-hour tidal cycle, about 100 billion tonnes of water flow in and out of the bay, which is twice as much as the combined total flow of all the rivers of the world over the same period. This extreme tidal action has created many unique geological formations, such as eroded cliffs, sea caves, and tidal flats.

The Bay of Fundy is a popular tourist destination, offering breathtaking views of the coastline and opportunities for outdoor activities such as kayaking. The Hopewell Rocks, located in the Bay of Fundy, are a notable tourist attraction, featuring impressive tidal formations and sandstone pillars topped with trees rising from the ocean floor.

The bay also has a rich history, dating back to the Miꞌkmaq people who fished in its waters and lived in communities around the bay for centuries before the arrival of Europeans. The first European settlement in the area was established by the French at Saint Croix Island in Maine, followed by Port Royal, founded by Pierre Dugua and Samuel de Champlain in 1605.

The Bay of Fundy has played a significant role in shipping and shipbuilding throughout the centuries. It was once a bustling site for shipbuilders, and it served as a major port for the pulp and paper industry, as well as the Irving oil refinery. The port city of Saint John, located directly on the bay, is the largest city in the province and a popular destination for those seeking to experience the local culture and cuisine.

Forests and wildlife

New Brunswick is known for its forests and wildlife. Forests cover the majority of the province, and coniferous trees commonly found in northern temperate climates—such as balsam fir, red and black spruce, pine, and hemlock—constitute the principal growth. Deciduous stands, especially along the river valleys, consist of sugar and red maple, trembling aspen, and yellow and white birch. Wild blueberries and cranberries are also commonly found on thin soils, especially in southwestern areas.

The forests of New Brunswick support a variety of wildlife, including substantial herds of white-tailed deer, moose, and smaller animals such as porcupines and raccoons. The rivers and coasts are also home to numerous migrating birds, best seen in early to mid-spring and late summer.

New Brunswick's forestry industry is a significant contributor to the province's economy, employing over 10,000 residents directly and 16,000 indirectly. The province exports around $2.8 billion in forest products annually, making it the second-largest industrial export after oil and gas.

The province is committed to sustainable forest management, with companies being required to harvest at sustainable rates and manage the regrowth or replanting of harvested areas. Since 1987, more than 800 million trees have been planted in New Brunswick, and the province is one of the largest producers of sustainable wood products in the country.

History

New Brunswick has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Here is a detailed overview of the province's history:

Indigenous History and European Exploration

Indigenous peoples, including the Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy, were the first inhabitants of the land now known as New Brunswick. These communities had a deep connection to the land and waters, with the Mi'kmaq following seasonal migration patterns between the wooded uplands and the shore. In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier made the first documented European contact with the Indigenous peoples of New Brunswick, establishing trade relations and exposing them to new diseases.

Colonial Era and Settlement

In 1604, French explorer Samuel de Champlain reached the mouth of the Saint John River, and the French established the first colony in the region, known as Acadia. This colony changed hands multiple times between France and the United Kingdom due to conflicts and wars. The British took control of Acadia during Queen Anne's War in 1713, and the French built Fort Beauséjour in 1751 to assert their claim. However, the British captured the fort in 1755 and began expelling the Acadians, an event known as the "Great Expulsion," with many deported to Louisiana.

Loyalist Settlement and Creation of New Brunswick

After the American Revolution, approximately 10,000 Loyalists fled the United States and settled in the region, establishing the city of Saint John. These Loyalists, dissatisfied with being governed from Halifax, petitioned for separate colonial status, which was granted in 1784 with the creation of the colony of New Brunswick. The colony was named after the German duchy of Brunswick-Lunenburg, and its capital, Fredericton, was named after King George III's son, Frederick.

Economic Growth and Immigration

In the early 1800s, New Brunswick's economy prospered, with the timber trade, shipbuilding, and lumbering industries thriving. The population grew rapidly, with large-scale immigration from Ireland and Scotland. By the mid-19th century, New Brunswick had become a leading centre of British North America, with its port and shipbuilding industry in Saint John playing a significant role.

Confederation and Modern Era

In 1867, New Brunswick joined Confederation, becoming one of the four original provinces of Canada, along with Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. This marked a shift in the province's economy, as the shipbuilding industry declined, and protectionism disrupted trade with New England. Despite these challenges, New Brunswick continued to develop, with the Intercolonial Railway connecting the colonies by 1872. The province experienced waves of immigration and economic growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the development of new industries and the discovery of natural resources.

Food

New Brunswick is known for its rich culinary traditions, with influences from Mi'kmaq, Irish, English, Loyalist, and Acadian cuisines. Here is a guide to some of the province's unique food offerings:

Seafood

Fresh seafood is abundant in New Brunswick, with its proximity to the coast providing easy access to a variety of delicious options. The province is particularly famous for its lobster, with the town of Shediac earning the title of "Lobster Capital of the World" and boasting a giant lobster statue. In addition to lobster, the province offers delicious salmon caught in the Miramichi River, as well as clams, mussels, periwinkles, oysters, and scallops. The seafood chowder, a competitive sport in New Brunswick, is a must-try, with many restaurants claiming to have the world's best recipe.

Fiddleheads

Fiddleheads, the unfurled fronds of a young fern plant, are a traditional seasonal delicacy for the Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqey people of New Brunswick. They are typically prepared by boiling and then sautéing in butter and can be enjoyed as a side dish or added to main courses.

Acadian Specialties

Acadian cuisine, with its unique flavours and dishes, is a significant part of New Brunswick's culinary landscape. One of the most iconic Acadian dishes is fricot, a hearty stew containing potatoes, dumplings, and meat, fish, or seafood. Another Acadian specialty is poutine râpée, boiled dumplings made from grated and mashed potatoes with a salt pork filling, commonly eaten during Christmas or other special occasions. Ployes, buckwheat pancakes from the Madawaska region, are also a popular Acadian treat, often served with baked beans or chicken fricot.

Local Produce

In addition to its seafood offerings, New Brunswick is known for its locally grown fruit and vegetables. Wild blueberries, bursting with antioxidants and vitamins, are a highlight, with the province producing over 30 million pounds of these berries annually. Maple syrup is another notable product, with New Brunswick producing 1.8 million kilograms of this liquid gold each year. In addition to the classic syrup, the province offers a variety of maple products like maple butter, maple sugar, and even maple cotton candy.

Snacks and Treats

New Brunswick has its fair share of unique snacks and treats as well. Dulse, a dark red seaweed, is commonly dried and eaten as a salty snack by locals. Florenceville-Bristol, known as the "French Fry Capital of the World," is home to McCain Foods, one of the world's biggest frozen fry producers. For something sweet, Ganong, Canada's oldest independently owned candy company, offers a range of treats, including the iconic chicken bones—hard pink cinnamon candies with semi-sweet chocolate centres.

New Brunswick's diverse culinary offerings reflect its cultural heritage and provide visitors with a delicious journey through the province's traditions and flavours.

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