"Canada’s Maritime Provinces" Top 5 Page for this destination North America Things to Do Tip by Bwana_Brown

A few years ago, the photographers and editors of the National Geographic Magazine were asked to pick their favourite destinations in Canada – first place went to the Rocky Mountains because of their spectacular natural beauty but the Maritime Provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island) on the Atlantic coast came in second thanks to their varied natural beauty combined with a relaxed and friendly way of life.

The greatest natural attraction in this area is the Bay of Fundy, lying between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and having the world’s highest tidal range (over 50 ft). This harbour scene on the Fundy shores, near Deer Island, NB is typical of many small fishing ports dotted around the coasts in this part of Canada. With so much coastline, there are bound to be numerous lighthouses as well, and the 2nd photo shows a typical example – Head Harbour light on Campobello Island, NB built in 1829. Of course, with all this seafaring activity, the appearance of flotillas of large sailing ships (the 'Tall Ships') will come as no surprise, as seen by the view of some of these vessels in Halifax, Nova Scotia (3rd photo) in 2000. They just had another extravaganza of these large sailing vessels in July, 2007.

Inland, the geography of river valleys and rolling hills covered with either large forests or fields of hay makes for some great road trips, such as the scene outside Sussex, NB shown in the 4th photo. Another interesting attraction is the numerous covered bridges built 70-100 years ago to protect their wooden floor boards from rotting (5th photo).

Directions: The three smallest provinces of Canada, just east of Maine, USA