Nova Scotia is one of the founding provinces of Canada. Almost totally surrounded by water, Nova Scotia is made up of a mainland peninsula and Cape Breton Island, which is across the Canso Strait. It is one of only three Canadian maritime provinces located on the North Atlantic Coast of North America.

The province of Nova Scotia is famous for its high tides, lobster, fish, blueberries, and apples. It is also known for an unusually high rate of shipwrecks on Sable Island. The name Nova Scotia originates from Latin, meaning "New Scotland."

Quick Facts about Nova Scotia:

• Population:979,115
• Land Area:55,284 Sq. Km. (Second Smallest Province)
• Pop. Density:2nd most densely populated province in the country with a population density of 45 people per square mile, or 17 per square kilometer.
• Cities in Nova Scotia:Halifax, Dartmouth and Sydney.
• Capital City:capital city of Nova Scotia is Halifax.

Nova Scotia Demographics

The largest ethnic group in Nova Scotia is Scottish at 28.3%, followed by English (28.1%), Irish (19.9%), French (17.7%), Aboriginal (10.2%), German (10%), Dutch (3.9%), African (2.3%), Italian (1.3%) and Acadian (1.2%). Just over 47% of the population identifies their ethnicity has Canadian.

The Vikings first visited Nova Scotia around 990.

Nova Scotia is almost completely surrounded by water and known as Canada's Ocean Playground.