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'''Nova Scotia''' is a maritime [[Canadian]] province bordering on land [[New Brunswick]], and the [[Atlantic Ocean]],  the [[Bay of Fundy]] and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.  Its name is Latin for "New Scotland".

'''Nova Scotia''' is a maritime [[Canadian]] province bordering on land [[New Brunswick]], and the [[Atlantic Ocean]],  the [[Bay of Fundy]] and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.  Its name is Latin for "New Scotland".

The left-wing New Democrats easily won the provincial election in June, 2009, their first victory in the Atlantic provinces.  The new premier is Darrell Dexter, with a strong majority of 31 seats.

The province has a total area of 55,490 km² with a population of 932,966 (2007) <ref>[http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/070628/d070628c.htm| Statistics Canada Canada's population estimates]</ref> accounting for 2.8%  of the national total.  The per capita provincial income in 2006 was $27,323<ref>[http://www.gov.ns.ca/finance/statistics/agency/index.asp?p=5|Nova Scotia Ministry of Finance]</ref>.

Incumbent Premier Rodney MacDonald dragged the Progressive Conservatives to a weak third-place finish losing 11 seats and keeping only 10 seats; the Liberals won 11.<ref> See [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ndp-wins-majority-in-nova-scotia/article1174489/ ''Globeand Mail'' June 10, 2009]</ref>

The left-wing New Democrats easily won the provincial election in June, 2009, their first victory in the Atlantic provinces.  The new premier is Darrell Dexter, with a strong majority of 31 seats. Incumbent Premier Rodney MacDonald dragged the Progressive Conservatives to a weak third-place finish losing 11 seats and keeping only 10 seats; the Liberals won 11.<ref> See [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ndp-wins-majority-in-nova-scotia/article1174489/ ''Globe and Mail'' June 10, 2009]</ref>

Nova Scotia has a large tourism industry attracting visitors from across Canada and the world.  Several of the major attractions are the Halifax Citadel, and greater Halifax region.  The highlands of [[Cape Breton Island]], the Atlantic Ocean shores and the quaint villages of the north shore on the Bay of Fundy.  [[Alexander Graham Bell]]'s home and museum is also in the province [http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/grahambell/index_e.asp/ National Historic Site]. <ref> [Reader's Digest Atlas of Canada], 1995, pg 51</ref>

Nova Scotia has a large tourism industry attracting visitors from across Canada and the world.  Several of the major attractions are the Halifax Citadel, and greater Halifax region.  The highlands of [[Cape Breton Island]], the Atlantic Ocean shores and the quaint villages of the north shore on the Bay of Fundy.  [[Alexander Graham Bell]]'s home and museum is also in the province [http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/grahambell/index_e.asp/ National Historic Site]. <ref> [Reader's Digest Atlas of Canada], 1995, pg 51</ref>

Some historians believe that Celtic monks from [[Iceland]] might have settled in [[Cape Breton Island]] in 875AD.<ref> [Reader's Digest Atlas of Canada], 1995, pg 51</ref>  [[John Cabot]] first visited Nova Scotia in 1497 and the first permanent settlement was established in 1605.  The capital city is [[Halifax]], and Nova Scotia joined as on of the founders of confederation in 1867.  In 1848 it was the first British colony to have responsible government. Prior to Confederation, Nova Scotia was the richest region in what is now Canada due to booming fishery and wooden boat-building industries. Nova Scotia lost its great source of early wealth with both the advent of steam powered sea vessels and the decline of the fisheries.     

Some historians believe that Celtic monks from [[Iceland]] might have settled in [[Cape Breton Island]] in 875AD.<ref> [Reader's Digest Atlas of Canada], 1995, pg 51</ref>  [[John Cabot]] first visited Nova Scotia in 1497 and the first permanent settlement was established in 1605.  The capital city is [[Halifax]], and Nova Scotia joined as on of the founders of confederation in 1867.  In 1848 it was the first British colony to have responsible government. Prior to Confederation, Nova Scotia was the richest region in what is now Canada due to booming fishery and wooden boat-building industries. Nova Scotia lost its great source of early wealth with both the advent of steam powered sea vessels and the decline of the fisheries.     

Nova Scotia was contested territory between the French and British (and the Indians) from 1500 down to 1763. It was ruled as a British colony until it became a founding member of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

Nova Scotia was contested territory between the French and British (and the Indians) from 1500 down to 1763. It was ruled as a British colony until it became a founding member of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.