Nova Scotia

A province of eastern Canada comprising a mainland peninsula and the adjacent Cape Breton Island. It joined the confederation in 1867. The first successful settlement was made by the French at Port Royal (now Annapolis Royal) in 1610. France and Great Britain bitterly contested the area, part of Acadia, until 1763, when the Treaty of Paris awarded the French possessions in North America to the British. During the 18th century many Scots immigrated to the region, leading to its name, a Latinized version of “New Scotland.” Halifax is the capital and the largest city. Population: 913,000.