Let's get one thing straight...

Viewed from other parts of Canada, the Maritimes look like this:

...they look like this, with the border between New Brunswick and Maine aligned in a north-south direction:

Does it make a difference? We think so. The first map makes it seem that we're located up north somewhere. In actual fact, much of the Maritimes is located below the 49th paralel. Quite a bit below, in fact. For example, Clark's Harbour, Nova Scotia is on about the same latitude as Toronto, Ontario.

This is also reflected in our climate, especially along the coasts. Although during the winter months, the chilly Atlantic Ocean can at times deliver some huge snowfalls, she can also warm things up enough to melt the stuff.

The Topography
New Brunswick forms the northern end of the Appalachian mountain chain which begins in southern Tennessee. Much of this rocky terrain is covered with vast tracts of timber which even today represent a substantial natural resource. Some of the terrain gives way to rolling farmland which forms the backbone of a thriving agricultural sector. The eastern coast along the Northumberland Strait across from PEI, features a number of seaside beaches which are every bit as pleasant as those found along the mid-Atlantic seaboard in the US.

Fundy Coast

Sea Caves

The Fundy coast, which runs from Moncton in the east through Saint John to Campobello in the southwest is generally pretty rugged as you can see from the pictures of the coast and of the Sea Caves at St. Martins, near Saint John. This creates a number of natural harbours.

Because of the topography, there has never been a large agricultural sector in New Brunswick which affects how the population is distributed. A number of the province's major population centres are based not on agriculture but on the location of harbours and the exploitation of forests and other natural resources. This is reflected in the province's economy and demographics.

This also creates some unique opportunities. The rugged terrain, combined with the proximity to the ocean offers today's resident a great selection of spectacular scenery in which to locate a home. What may have presented an economic barrier in the past, may well become the very thing to attract a whole new knowledge-based economy.

Since it is people and their comfort and not the proximity to markets for traditional goods that has now become more important, the opportunities for growth are real. Being one of Canada's smaller provinces also gives New Brunswick a friendlier, more intimate feel with life on a more human scale.

What's in it for me...
The province of New Brunswick offers the potential new resident some unique opportunities. These include terrific scenery; a climate which, while not tropical, is pretty decent especially along the coast; and an infrastructure shaped by the terrain and the rhythm of the spectacular tides. Why not take a look for yourself?

This content was written by Henry (Hank) Mulder. Born in the Netherlands, Henry lived in several provinces before settling in New Brunswick.