The Heart Of New Brunswick: Unveiling Fredericton, The Provincial Capital

Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick. It is situated in the west-central portion of the province along the Saint John River, which bisects the city and provides several recreational areas and parks. Fredericton is an important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, with two universities, cultural institutions, and a growing IT and commercial sector. It is also the third-largest city in the province, with a population of 63,116 and a metropolitan population of 108,610 as of the 2021 Canadian census. Fredericton has a warm-summer humid continental climate, with short, warm summers and long, cold winters.

Fredericton's history

Fredericton, the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, has a rich history that dates back to the pre-colonial era. The area was first inhabited by the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet peoples, who used the site for seasonal farming, with maize as their primary crop. The first European contact in the area came in the late 17th century when the French granted the land to Joseph de Villebon, who built Fort Nashwaak on the north side of the Saint John River in 1692. The fort served as the capital of the French colony of Acadia.

In 1783, United Empire Loyalists settled in Ste. Anne's Point (now Fredericton) after the American Revolution. The following year, New Brunswick was partitioned from Nova Scotia and became its own colony, with Fredericton as its capital. The city was named after Frederick, the second son of King George III. The streets were laid out in a grid pattern, with names reflecting loyalist tendencies, such as Charlotte, Brunswick, George, King, and Queen.

Fredericton became an important educational centre with the founding of King's College (now the University of New Brunswick) in 1785, making it the first English-language university in Canada. The city also attracted religious institutions, with Christ Church Cathedral built as the seat of the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton in 1853.

In the 19th century, Fredericton was home to several industries, including lumber. The city experienced significant growth in the post-war period, with the expansion of the University of New Brunswick and the construction of Saint Thomas University in 1964. Today, Fredericton is a cultural, artistic, and educational hub, known for its annual Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival and its vibrant visual arts scene.

Fredericton's geography

Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick, Canada, is situated in the west-central portion of the province along the Saint John River, also known by its Indigenous name of Wolastoq. The river bisects the city and is the dominant natural feature of the area, providing several recreational areas and parks. Fredericton is an important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province. It is home to two universities, The University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University, as well as the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, New Brunswick Community College, and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Fredericton Region Museum, and The Playhouse, a performing arts venue.

Fredericton has a warm-summer humid continental climate, with short, warm summers and long, cold winters. The city has high humidity and precipitation year-round and is nestled in the Pennsylvanian Basin. It differs markedly from the geologically older parts of the province, with two distinct areas divided around the area of Wilsey Road in the east end of the city. In the west, the bedrock underneath the earth is topographically dominant, while the other side is controlled by Pleistocene and recent deposits leading to the rivers, resulting in the area being shallow and wide.

Fredericton has a rich literary tradition, having been home to writers such as Jonathan Odell, Charles G.D. Roberts, Bliss Carman, and Francis Sherman. The city also has a long history, dating back to the late 1600s when colonists from the Kingdom of France built Fort Nashwaak on the north side of the Saint John River as the capital of Acadia. It was renamed several times, from "Ste. Anne's Point" to "Fredericstown" and finally to "Fredericton". Fredericton became the capital of the new colony of New Brunswick in 1784, considered to have a better defensive position than the larger city of Saint John.

The city is divided into 12 wards, with six on each side of the river and one councillor per ward. Fredericton's downtown core is flat and lies low to the river, while most of the city's post-war suburban development has occurred on the gently sloping hills on either side of the river. Fredericton has a network of 25 trails totalling more than 85 km on both sides of the Saint John and Nashwaak Rivers, including rail trails that follow old railway lines.

Fredericton's climate

Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick, Canada, has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb in the Köppen climate classification system). This means that the city experiences short, warm summers and long, cold winters.

Located inland, Fredericton has higher summer temperatures and lower winter temperatures than coastal locations in New Brunswick, such as Saint John and Moncton. The average annual temperature in Fredericton is 6.0 °C or 42.9 °F, with the hottest month being July (19.7 °C/67.5 °F) and the coldest being January (-8.9 °C/15.9 °F). The city also has high humidity and precipitation all year round, receiving approximately 1,100 mm (43 inches) of precipitation per year.

Snow depths of over 1 cm are seen on about 105 days each year in Fredericton. Snowfall usually begins in late December, with snow depths of greater than 1 cm seen on about 10 days in Vancouver, 35 days in Penticton, 53 days in Windsor, 65 days in Toronto, 88 days in Calgary, 109 days in Montreal, 120 days in Ottawa, and 132 days in Winnipeg.

Despite the cold, Fredericton enjoys a sunny climate, averaging about 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. Winters are sunnier than in southern Ontario, while summers are less sunny. The city also has distinct seasons, with colourful foliage in the fall.

Fredericton's culture

Fredericton, the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, is a cultural, artistic, and educational hub. The city is home to several universities, museums, galleries, and festivals, making it a vibrant centre for the arts.

Cultural Institutions

Fredericton boasts several cultural institutions, including two universities: the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University. The city is also home to the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, the New Brunswick Community College, and cultural venues such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Fredericton Region Museum, and The Playhouse, a performing arts venue.

Festivals

Fredericton hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, including the annual Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, which attracts regional and international artists. The city also hosts the Garrison Night Market during the summer, showcasing local vendors, artists, and musicians. In addition, the FROSTival offers three weekends of winter fun, including live music, painting workshops, and outdoor experiences.

Art Galleries

Fredericton has a thriving art scene, with galleries such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the George Fry Gallery, and Gallery 78 showcasing the works of local and Canadian artists. The city's artistic community is further enhanced by the presence of studios and boutiques like Studio 103/Urban Threadz, which feature the work of local artists.

Historic Sites

Fredericton is rich in history, with sites such as the Christ Church Cathedral, a National Historic Site and a fine example of decorated Gothic architecture. The city also has a Victorian-era prison, built in 1842 and now used as a Science Centre, and the Legislative Assembly Building, which showcases 19th-century architecture and houses portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte.

Literary Tradition

Fredericton has a long literary tradition, having been home to writers such as Jonathan Odell, Charles G.D. Roberts, Bliss Carman, and Francis Sherman. The city also appointed a cultural laureate, Ian LeTourneau, whose legacy project, Word Feast, featured book readings, workshops, musical acts, and lunchtime talks.

Performing Arts

The Fredericton Playhouse, the main venue for Theatre New Brunswick, presents a variety of performances throughout the year. In addition, the city offers live music and theatre performances at unique venues like The Cap and The Tipsy Muse Cafe.

Outdoor Spaces

Fredericton offers a variety of outdoor spaces, including Odell Park, a 432-acre old-growth forest with groomed trails, and Reading Park, a 130,000-square-metre passive use park with a walking trail through an old-growth forest. The city is also home to the Fredericton Botanic Garden and public art installations that celebrate its heritage.

Fredericton's economy

Fredericton, the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, has a diverse economy with a growing IT and commercial sector. As a provincial capital, Fredericton's economy is largely tied to the public sector, with the Government of New Brunswick and universities serving as the primary employers. Fredericton has the highest percentage of residents with post-secondary education in the province, making it an attractive location for companies in the knowledge sector.

The city's economy has traditionally been centred around its natural resources, with lumber being one of the main exports. Fredericton also has a strong agricultural sector, with its arable soil and rich water resources making it ideal for farming.

In recent years, Fredericton has seen a shift towards a modern service-based economy, with financial and insurance industries leading the way. The city has been investing heavily in its IT infrastructure, with initiatives like the Fred-eZone free municipality-wide Wi-Fi project. Fredericton also excels in research and development, making it attractive to foreign investment. The talent pool, with its low turnover and engagement in the knowledge sector, is a big draw for investors.

The manufacturing industry is another major employer in Fredericton, particularly in food and beverages, pulp and paper, furniture, metal processing, and transportation equipment. Tourism is also a significant contributor to the local economy, with people visiting to enjoy the city's cultural scene, natural beauty, and recreational activities.

Overall, Fredericton's economy is dynamic and diverse, benefiting from a mix of public sector, service industries, manufacturing, and tourism.

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