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Halifax — travel, stays & events guide
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Halifax city overview
Halifax is a city in Canada shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forHalifax Waterfront, Citadel Hill, Pier 21, Public Gardens
Population~440kcity context
RegionCanadaCanada
Time zoneAmerica/Halifaxlocal time
Founded1726historical origin
City history
By unilaterally establishing Halifax, the British were violating treaties with the Mi'kmaq (1726) that were signed after Father Rale's War.
Equipped with 13 transports and a sloop of war, Cornwallis founded the Town of Halifax on what is now known as the Halifax Peninsula, on June 21, 1749.
The completion of the Intercolonial Railway in 1876 helped make Halifax a major gateway for Atlantic trade—particularly in winter, when ice made ports on the St.
This connection to trans-Atlantic trade and military enterprises bore deadly consequences on December 6, 1917.
In April 2014, the Regional Council approved a new brand identity for the region, under which the name "Halifax" is used for marketing and communications purposes; "Halifax Regional Municipality" remains the region's official name.
Before the mid-1700s, when a European (British) settlement was established at Halifax, the Colony of Nova Scotia had been administered from Annapolis Royal, near the Western opening of the Bay of Fundy.
However, by the mid-20th century, this structure had evolved such that "the County" was a distinct municipality including only the areas that were not included within the Cities and Town.
The Mi'kmaq name for the harbour around which Halifax exists is K'jipuktuk or Chebookt, meaning "Chief Harbour" or "Great Harbour" in the Mi'kmaq language.
Additionally, the Mi'kmaq referred to the area of the Halifax Peninsula comprising the downtown area and Point Pleasant Park as Amntu'kati, while the hillside where Halifax was established was referred to as Gooowakade, meaning.
Margaret's Bay, also in the Municipality, was first settled by French-speaking Foreign Protestants at French Village, Nova Scotia, who migrated from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, during the American Revolution.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Halifax grew to become a centre of government (particularly military), trade, and shipbuilding.
In one of the great disasters in Canadian history, the SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship carrying munitions, collided with the Belgian Relief vessel SS Imo in "The Narrows" between upper Halifax Harbour and.
In addition to the capital City of Halifax (on the western side of the harbour), the City of Dartmouth (eastern side) and the Town of Bedford (northern tip of the Bedford Basin) grew up.
Halifax County was originally understood as a higher-level geographic unit responsible for, among other things, court services throughout both the incorporated Cities and Town, and the unorganized territory of the remainder of the county.
Worth seeing
Halifax Waterfront
Halifax Waterfront is a practical Halifax planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Citadel Hill
Citadel Hill is a practical Halifax planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Pier 21
Pier 21 is a practical Halifax planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Public Gardens
Public Gardens is a practical Halifax planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Dartmouth ferry
Dartmouth ferry is a practical Halifax planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Peggy's Cove trips
Peggy's Cove trips is a practical Halifax planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Halifax before booking Halifax hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Halifax by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Halifax, CanadaFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Halifax airport accessMain gateway TBC.
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Rental cars
Halifax day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Halifax events in the shared event index yet.