Brunswick, Canada: Map And Location

New Brunswick is located in eastern Canada and is one of the country's 13 provinces and territories. It is bordered by Quebec to the north, the US state of Maine to the west, Nova Scotia to the south and east, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the northeast. The province also shares a maritime border with Prince Edward Island. New Brunswick's landscape is characterised by rolling hills, with the Appalachian Mountains cutting through its western and northern regions. The province's highest peak, Mount Carleton, rises to 2,690 feet above sea level in the northwestern region.

New Brunswick's location in Canada

New Brunswick is located in eastern Canada and is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of the country. 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 US state of Maine to the west. New Brunswick is also bounded by the Northumberland Strait in the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The southeastern edge of the province is connected to Nova Scotia by the Chignecto Isthmus.

New Brunswick is one of the Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. It has a roughly rectangular shape and covers an area of 28,150 square miles (72,908 square kilometres). The province is known for its beautiful forests, rivers, lakes, and seashore, which remain relatively unspoiled.

The topography of New Brunswick consists mainly of rolling hills, with the Appalachian Mountains dominating the landscape. The province's highest peak, Mount Carleton, rises to 2,690 feet (817 metres) above sea level in the northwestern region. New Brunswick also boasts extensive coastal plains in its eastern and southern regions, including the Acadian Peninsula, Chaleur Bay, and the Northumberland Strait. The Bay of Fundy, renowned for its high tides, defines the southern coast of the province.

The capital of New Brunswick is Fredericton, named after King George III's son Frederick. The city is located in the west-central part of the province, along the Saint John River. Other major cities in New Brunswick include Moncton, the largest and most populous city, and Saint John.

The province's borders

The Province of New Brunswick is located in eastern Canada, in the Canadian Maritimes region. It is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada, and one of the three Maritime provinces. New Brunswick is bordered by the province of Quebec to the north, the US state of Maine to the west, the province of Nova Scotia to the east, and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the northeast. The province is also bounded by the Bay of Fundy in the south, the Northumberland Strait in the east, and the Chignecto Isthmus in the southeast, which connects New Brunswick to Nova Scotia.

New Brunswick's northern border with Quebec is characterised by the Appalachian Mountains, which extend from the southeastern United States into Quebec and cut through the western and northern portions of New Brunswick. The province's southern and eastern coasts boast extensive coastal plains, including the Acadian Peninsula, Chaleur Bay, and the Northumberland Strait. The southern coast is defined by the Bay of Fundy, known for its high tides and unique ecosystems, such as the Hopewell Rocks and the Reversing Falls Rapids in Saint John.

New Brunswick's geographical location provides easy access to North American and European markets through its seaports, airports, and railways. The city of Saint John, a major industrial centre, operates the most extensive port facilities in the region. The province's transportation infrastructure also facilitates seamless connections with neighbouring provinces and states, fostering economic opportunities and cultural exchange.

The climate of New Brunswick

New Brunswick, Canada, has a humid continental climate characterised by warm summers, cold winters, and ample precipitation. The province's climate varies due to its diverse geography. While New Brunswick is one of the warmer regions in Canada, with an average daily high of 11 degrees, its climate is more severe than that of the other Maritime provinces, which have more shoreline along the sea, resulting in milder winters.

The northern half of New Brunswick is occupied by the Appalachians, and the province's landscape is dominated by rolling hills and mountains. The highest peak in the province, Mount Carleton, rises to 2,690 feet above sea level in the northwestern region. The eastern and southern regions of New Brunswick boast extensive coastal plains, including the Acadian Peninsula, Chaleur Bay, and the Northumberland Strait. The Bay of Fundy, known for its high tides and unique ecosystems, defines the southern coast.

The climate in New Brunswick can be compared to Central European weather conditions, with cold, wet weather and a few beautiful summer months throughout the year. The best time to visit New Brunswick is from May to September, when the temperatures are warmer. The months from November to April are less attractive due to colder temperatures.

The average daily maximum temperature in Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick, is higher than in coastal locations 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 for about 105 days each year in Fredericton.

The topography of the region

The topography of New Brunswick, Canada, is characterised by its varied landscapes, from rolling hills to expansive coastal plains. The Appalachian Mountains dominate the landscape, extending from the southeastern United States to the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec and cutting through the western and northern portions of the province. Mount Carleton, rising to 2690 feet above sea level in the northwestern region, stands as the highest peak.

The eastern and southern regions of New Brunswick boast extensive coastal plains, including notable features such as the Acadian Peninsula, Chaleur Bay, and the Northumberland Strait. The Bay of Fundy, known for its high tides and unique ecosystems, defines the southern coastline. The dynamic tides of the Bay of Fundy have also shaped attractions such as the Hopewell Rocks and the Reversing Falls Rapids in Saint John.

The interior of the province, in contrast, presents a different landscape. It consists mostly of rolling plateau covered by forests, with approximately 85% of New Brunswick's landmass characterised by forests. The Acadian forest, a blend of northern hardwoods and boreal species, is unique to the region and provides habitats for diverse flora and fauna.

New Brunswick is also home to a vast network of rivers and lakes. The Saint John River, originating in Maine, flows southward and eastward through the province for nearly 673 kilometres before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. Other significant rivers include the Miramichi, Restigouche, and Petitcodiac, while lakes such as Grand Lake, Oromocto Lake, and the Chiputneticook Lakes contribute to the province's abundant freshwater resources.

The province's geological history has left deposits of base metals, potash, and natural gas, making the mining industry an important economic sector. Additionally, the varied topography and coastal access have contributed to the development of seaports, airports, and railways, enhancing New Brunswick's connectivity and fostering cultural exchange with neighbouring provinces and states.

New Brunswick's administrative divisions

New Brunswick is divided into 89 local entities, consisting of 77 local governments and 12 rural districts. The local government can be a city, town, village, regional municipality, or rural community, depending mainly on population. Cities generally provide more services than smaller entities, including certain transportation, environmental, security, and recreational and cultural services.

Ninety-five per cent of the population of New Brunswick lives in a city, town, village, regional municipality, or rural community and can vote to elect responsible local government. Parts of the province not covered by these local governments are divided into rural districts. These are sparsely populated unincorporated areas. Each district elects councillors to form an advisory committee to advise the minister on local matters.

Twelve regional service commissions provide services over larger areas. They were introduced in 2012 and were given increased powers in 2023.

Historically, New Brunswick was divided into counties and parishes. These administrative divisions were abolished in 1966, but they continue to be used by Statistics Canada as an organisational unit and serve as a sense of identity for many residents of the province.

In 2023, the local government of New Brunswick restructured the entities throughout the province. The previous 340 entities were replaced by 77 local governments and 12 rural districts.

Frequently asked questions