Sign in Using FacebookHalifax Guide » More About Halifax: Interesting Facts
Interesting Facts
- The Halifax and Dartmouth areas form what is known as the Halifax Regional Municipality or HRM. In 1996, the two cities were combined with the town of Bedford and the extended county of Halifax to create this large municipality that is now the province's largest. In fact, HRM makes up 40% of Nova Scotia's entire population count.
- Initially, named by the native tribes living in the area, Halifax bore the name Jipugtug, or Chebucto, meaning "biggest harbour," but military conquests by the British led to a name change. The name Halifax was chosen to honor George Montague-Dunk, the 2nd Earl of Halifax. Montague-Dunk was a notable British leader in the area during the mid 1700s.
- The Halifax and Dartmouth areas have a lengthy seafaring past as the area boasts over 400 kilometers of breathtaking coastline and natural harbors. Sandy white beaches and the rugged beauty of the shoreline draw many sightseers and nature lovers, fueling the area's tourism industry.
- One of the world's most notable harbors, the Halifax Harbor connects the mirror cities of Halifax and Dartmouth. Oval in shape, 16 kilometers in length and featuring the Bedford Basin at one end, this fine harbor is the perfect causeway for merchant vessels, military crafts and cruise ships. Yacht clubs host regattas and races, and along with the harborfront shopping and dining, make this area a popular sporting and entertainment destination as well.
- Halifax has the unfortunate distinction of being the burial ground for over 150 victims of the Titanic disaster. The widely acclaimed movie, Titanic, chronicled the ship's demise and brought worldwide attention to the Halifax area. The city has three cemeteries holding the remains of Titanic's victims and offers a memorial display at the city's Maritime Museum.
- Preceding the exploding of nuclear weapons, an explosion in the Halifax area in 1917 was the largest man-made explosion the world had ever witnessed. Dubbed the "Halifax Explosion," this disaster came about when a French ship loaded with explosives was accidentally struck by a Norwegian ship in the waters surrounding the city's calm shores. About 2000 people were killed and 9000 wounded.
- Ahh...sweet elixir! Whether it's a glass of fine wine, a stout ale or a chilled bottle of beer, you're sure to find plenty of liquid comfort in this city as it's reported to have the highest number of bars and pubs per capita of any city in the entire country.
- Halifax bears the dubious distinction of being the birthplace of modern advertising as we know it. It's reported that the Halifax Gazette, an official government publication, first touted the benefits of butter for sale in one of its 1752 editions. From there, things simply snowballed.
- Interested in historic architecture? Like to shop? You're in luck. Visit the city's Historic Properties district that's located on the harbor, and you'll find that one stop gets you dining, shopping and historic places of interest all rolled into one. The popular dining and shopping district boasts 10 of the city's oldest structures, 7 of which are listed on the register of National Historic Sites.
- Perched along the eastern shore of Canada and bordered by the Atlantic, Halifax, the nation's 13th largest city, is exactly the half-way point betwixt Europe and North America's west coast.
