Halifax: Nova Scotia's Capital City
HALIFAX FAST FACTS:
• Metro Population: 403,131 (2021)
• City Population: 439,819 (HRM)
• Founded: 1749
• Area: 5,490.35 km² (metro)
• Density: 73.2 per km²
• Elevation: 145m above sea level
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)
HRM DISTRICTS:
• Halifax Peninsula: Historic downtown core
• Dartmouth: Eastern shore, lakes district
• Bedford: Northwestern suburbs
• Sackville: Suburban communities
• Eastern Shore: Rural coastal areas
• Western HRM: Timberlea, Lakeside areas
Major Neighborhoods
DOWNTOWN HALIFAX: Historic waterfront, business district
SPRING GARDEN ROAD: Shopping and entertainment corridor
QUINPOOL ROAD: Diverse dining and shopping
NORTH END: Trendy neighborhoods, craft breweries
SOUTH END: Victorian architecture, Point Pleasant Park
WEST END: University area, student housing
DARTMOUTH AREAS:
• Downtown Dartmouth: Waterfront, ferry terminal
• Cole Harbour: Suburban family area
• Eastern Passage: Coastal community
• Woodside: Industrial and residential
• Preston: Historic African Nova Scotian community
Major Attractions
HISTORIC SITES:
• Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
• Province House (oldest legislative building)
• Halifax Public Gardens (Victorian garden)
WATERFRONT ATTRACTIONS:
• Halifax Harbourwalk: 4km boardwalk
• Theodore Tugboat: Famous children's character
• Pier 21: Canadian Museum of Immigration
• Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market
• Titanic gravesites at Fairview Lawn Cemetery
Education & Universities
MAJOR UNIVERSITIES:
• Dalhousie University: 20,000+ students
• Saint Mary's University: 7,000+ students
• Mount Saint Vincent University: 4,000+ students
• NSCAD University: 1,000+ art students
• Nova Scotia Community College campuses
Economy & Industry
MAJOR EMPLOYERS:
• Canadian Armed Forces: CFB Halifax
• Nova Scotia Health Authority
• Dalhousie University
• Irving Shipbuilding
• Halifax Regional Municipality
• Federal government departments
KEY INDUSTRIES:
• Defense and aerospace
• Information technology
• Ocean technology
• Financial services
• Tourism and hospitality
• Healthcare and life sciences
Transportation
PUBLIC TRANSIT: Halifax Transit bus system, ferry service
AIRPORT: Halifax Stanfield International (40km)
RAILWAYS: VIA Rail to Montreal, Toronto
FERRIES: Halifax-Dartmouth ferry (since 1752)
HIGHWAYS: Highway 102, 103, 118 access
Climate & Geography
CLIMATE DATA:
• Average Temperature: 7.5°C annually
• Summer Average: 18°C (July)
• Winter Average: -4°C (January)
• Annual Precipitation: 1,468mm
• Frost-free period: 175 days
• Ocean moderated temperatures
Culture & Events
MAJOR FESTIVALS:
• Halifax International Busker Festival
• Nova Scotia International Tattoo
• Halifax Pop Explosion (music festival)
• Nocturne: Art at Night
• Atlantic Film Festival