Halifax tourist information
Greater Halifax holds a strong military tradition. In 1749, the Hon. Edward Cornwallis landed with some 2,500 settlers on the Chebucto peninsula to establish a permanent fortified settlement. The little community was soon christened 'Halifax' in honour of Lord Halifax, President of the British Board of Trade at that time. In 1750, 'Dartmouth' was founded, named for the town of Dartmouth, England, and in honour of Sir William Legge, 2nd Earl of Dartmouth, keeper of the privy seal. In 1752 the first ferry between Halifax and Dartmouth was established, now the oldest, continuously running salt water ferry system in North America.
Despite many hardships the community grew and was not long in becoming the site of several Canadian 'firsts". The first newspaper in Canada, the Halifax "Gazette", appeared in 1752 and Canada's first Post Office began operations in Halifax in 1755. The year 1758 saw the first representative assembly meet in Halifax, while in the some year began the community's long association with naval affairs when a dockyard was completed. In 1759 Halifax served as a base for the British operations against the French fort at Louisbourg.
Wars and periods of international unrest contributed a good deal towards the development and prosperity of HRM over the years. The Seven Years' War (of which the siege of Louisbourg was one campaign) was the first such instance. Close on its heels in the 1770's followed the War of American Independence which saw Halifax again a base of military and naval operations. Many Loyalists flocked to the Greater Halifax area during this period. From 1785-1792, Dartmouth was headquarters of a whaling company established when Quaker families moved from the Island of Nantucket - a number of Quaker buildings still stand in Dartmouth.
Large numbers of black loyalists settled in the area, followed by a contingent of Maroons from Jamaica, building a strong and vibrant black heritage.
The rise to power in France of Napoleon Bonaparte caused Britain to keep her Atlantic bastion alert and ready to repulse possible attack. Once again, in 1812, Halifax was brought to the state of readiness to meet assault this time from our good neighbour to the south.
The early years of the 19th Century saw HRM developing in the ways of peace as well as war. To touch only a few of the highlights one notes the formation of the Halifax Insurance Company in 1809, the first steamship crossing of the Atlantic by the 'Royal William' from Halifax in 1837, and the founding on one of Canada's leading institutions, the Bank of Nova Scotia, in 1832. The inauguration of regular transatlantic Steamship service via the Cunard liner S.S. 'Britannia' took place in 1840. A telephone system was installed in 1882. City Hall opened its doors in 1890. During the World War 1 years Halifax was a major centre of naval operations and few will forget the dreadful explosion of 1917 that devastated a major part of Halifax peninsula. The Trans-Atlantic telegraph was anchored at Halifax in 1925 and Trans Canada Airways commenced operations between Halifax and Vancouver in 1941. Some twenty years later, in 1960, HRM's International Airport opened to serve another generation of air travellers.
While the threat of attack disappeared with the passing of the years, no one will forget the extremely important role played by HRM from 1914 to 1918 and again from 1939 to 1945 as the western anchor of the vital war convoy routes which spanned the Atlantic.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada is a modern port city teeming with culture and heritage and the perfect place for your next holiday vacation. The entire Halifax region delights visitors and citizens alike with its impressive array of entertainment, museums, galleries, historic sites, fine restaurants, colourful gardens and lively nightlife. Through our 188 communities, explore charming seaside towns, sun-drenched beaches, sparkling coves and miles of rugged shoreline guarded by graceful lighthouses. Imagine the vivacity of city living, the charms of small town life and the pristine beauty of nature - all in one place!
by City of Halifax Nova Scotia
Halifax aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Halifax aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Halifax.
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