TheMi'kmaq name for the harbour around which Halifax exists isKjipuktuk[7] orChebookt,[a] meaning "Chief Harbour" or "Great Harbour" in theMi'kmaq language.[9][10] Additionally, the Mi'kmaq referred to the area of the Halifax Peninsula comprising thedowntown area andPoint Pleasant Park asAmntu'kati,[11] while the hillside where Halifax was established was referred to asGooowakade, meaning "place of many pines".[8] The area was called "Chebucto" until Halifax was established by GovernorEdward Cornwallis in 1749, named in honour ofGeorge Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax.[9][12]
Before the mid-1700s, when a European (British) settlement was established at Halifax, the Colony of Nova Scotia had been administered fromAnnapolis Royal, near the Western opening of theBay of Fundy. However, in 1749,King George II orderedEdward Cornwallis to establish Halifax as a new capital. Equipped with 13 transports and a sloop of war, Cornwallis founded the Town of Halifax on what is now known as the Halifax Peninsula, on June 21, 1749.[13]
The establishment of Halifax marked the beginning ofFather Le Loutre's War. By unilaterally establishing Halifax, the British were violating treaties with theMi'kmaq (1726) that were signed afterFather Rale's War.[14] Cornwallis brought along 1,176 settlers and their families. To protect the newProtestant settlements from Mi'kmaq,Acadian, and French attacks, British fortifications were erected in Halifax (Citadel Hill, 1749), Bedford (Fort Sackville, 1749), Dartmouth (1750), andLawrencetown (1754), all areas within the modern-day Municipality.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Halifax grew to become a centre of government (particularly military), trade, and shipbuilding. The completion of theIntercolonial Railway in 1876 helped make Halifax a major gateway for Atlantic trade—particularly in winter, when ice made ports on the St. Lawrence River inaccessible.
This connection to trans-Atlantic trade and military enterprises bore deadly consequences on December 6, 1917. In one of the great disasters in Canadian history, theSS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship carrying munitions, collided with theBelgian Relief vesselSS Imo in "The Narrows" between upper Halifax Harbour and Bedford Basin. The resultingHalifax Explosion devastated theRichmond District in the North End of Halifax, killing about 2,000 people and injuring nearly 9,000 others.[15] The blast was thelargest artificial explosion before the development of nuclear weapons.[16] Aid came fromBoston, strengthening thebond between the two coastal cities.
In addition to the capital City of Halifax (on the western side of the harbour), the City of Dartmouth (eastern side) and the Town of Bedford (northern tip of the Bedford Basin) grew up through the 19th and 20th centuries. Halifax County was originally understood as a higher-level geographic unit responsible for, among other things, court services throughout both the incorporated Cities and Town, and the unorganized territory of the remainder of the County. However, by the mid-20th century, this structure had evolved such that "the County" was a distinct municipality including only the areas that werenot included within the Cities and Town.
These four municipalities (City of Halifax, City of Dartmouth, Town of Bedford, Halifax County) coordinated delivery of some services through a body known as the Metropolitan Authority starting in the late 1970s, but remained independent municipal bodies until April 1, 1996, when the provincial governmentamalgamated all municipal governments withinHalifax County to create the Halifax Regional Municipality. Thus, the modern municipal boundary now includes all of Halifax County except for several Mi'kmaq reserves.[17]
Since amalgamation, the region has officially been known as the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), although "Halifax" has remained in common usage for brevity. On April 15, 2014, Regional Council approved the implementation of a new branding campaign for the municipality. The campaign would see the region referred to in promotional materials simply as "Halifax", although "Halifax Regional Municipality" would remain the region's official name.[18][19][20]
Halifax has ahumid continental climate (KöppenDfb), with warm summers and relatively mild winters, which is due toGulf Stream moderation. Theweather is usually milder in the winter or cooler in the summer than areas at similar latitudes inland, with the temperature remaining (with occasional notable exceptions) between about −8 and 28 °C (18 and 82 °F).[21] January is the coldest month, being the only month with a high that is slightly below freezing at −0.1 °C (31.8 °F), while August is the warmest. The sea heavily influences the climate of the area, causing significantseasonal lag in summer, with August being significantly warmer than June and with September being the third mildest month in terms of mean temperature.[22]
Hurricane Juan, acategory 2 storm, hit in September 2003 and caused considerable damage to the region.Hurricane Earl grazed the coast as acategory 1 storm in 2010. In 2019,Hurricane Dorian made landfall just south of Halifax as a post-tropical storm with an intensity equivalent to a category 2 hurricane and caused significant damage across Nova Scotia. In 2021Hurricane Ida hit the region with minor damage. In 2022,Hurricane Fiona hit as a category 2 storm, although damage was relatively minor in Halifax, with downed trees and widespread power outages for days.[23]
The highest temperature ever recorded in Halifax was 37.2 °C (99.0 °F) on July 10, 1912,[24] and the lowest temperature recorded was −29.4 °C (−20.9 °F) on February 18, 1922.[25] In spite of the possibility of high temperatures, in a normal year there are only three days that go above 30 °C (86 °F).[26] Halifax also has a modest frost count by Canadian standards due to the maritime influence, averaging 131 air frosts and 49 full days below freezing annually.[26] On average the frost-free period is 182 days, ranging from May 1 to October 31.[26]
In Canada, metro areas include neighbouring municipalities where more than half of the commuters commute into the core municipality. Between the2016 Canadian Census and the2021 Canadian Census, East Hants, a formerly rural, but increasingly exurban community located north of the main Halifax population centre, was added to the Halifax metro area, due to the increased population who commute from East Hants to Halifax. Before the2021 Canadian Census, Metropolitan Halifax covered 549,631 hectares (5,496.31 square kilometres; 2,122.14 square miles)[48] After the addition of theEast Hants, the metropolitan area's land area expanded by 177,991 hectares (1,779.91 km2) to its current land area.[47]
This section needs to beupdated. The reason given is: Cites old data. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(October 2025)
Since 1 April 1996, the entirety of theCounty of Halifax and all its places (cities, suburbs, towns, and villages) were turned into communities of a larger single-tier municipality called Halifax Regional Municipality. As of 2021, the total surface area of the municipality is 5,475.57 km2 (2,114.13 sq mi).[2]
There are varying definitions of the "core" of Halifax. For planning purposes, the Municipality defines the "Regional Centre" as including the Halifax Peninsula andDartmouth inside the Circumferential Highway. This urban area covers 3,300 hectares (33 square kilometres; 13 square miles)[49] and houses 96,619 people in 55,332 dwelling units as of the 2016 Census.[50]
There are over 200 official communities and neighbourhoods within the Halifax municipality. The formertown ofBedford, and the former cities ofDartmouth andHalifax have maintained their original geographic names. Furthermore, some communities that weresuburban, or evenrural before 1996, now have become more urban and have attainedcommunity status (e.g.Cole Harbour,Lower Sackville,Spryfield, etc.)[51]
View ofPurdy's Wharf, an office complex in Downtown Halifax
At 23,829 hectares (238.29 square kilometres; 92.00 square miles), Halifax'surban area (defined aspopulation centre by Statistics Canada) is less than five percent of the municipal land area.[52] The area surroundsHalifax Harbour and its main centres areBedford,Dartmouth, and Halifax (and their respective environs).
Halifax is a major cultural centre within theAtlantic provinces. The municipality has maintained many of its maritime and military traditions, while opening itself to a growing multicultural population. The municipality's urban core also benefits from a large population of post-secondary students who strongly influence the local cultural scene. Halifax has a number of art galleries, theatres and museums, as well as most of the region's national-quality sports and entertainment facilities. Halifax is also the home to many of the region's major cultural attractions, such asHalifax Pop Explosion,Symphony Nova Scotia, theArt Gallery of Nova Scotia,The Khyber, theMaritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Neptune Theatre.[citation needed]
Halifax's urban core is home to a number of regional landmark buildings and retains significant historic buildings and districts. Downtown office towers are overlooked by the fortress ofCitadel Hill with its iconicHalifax Town Clock.[citation needed]
The Halifax area has a variety of public spaces, ranging from urban gardens, public squares, expansive forested parks, and historic sites. The original grid plan devised when Halifax was founded in 1749 included a centralmilitary parade square, theGrand Parade. The square hosts the City Hall at one end, and is a popular site for concerts, political demonstrations, as well as the annualRemembrance Day ceremony at the centralcenotaph. Another popular downtown public space is the timberHalifax Boardwalk, which stretches approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) and is integrated with several squares and monuments.[citation needed]
TheHalifax Common, granted for the use of citizens in 1763, is Canada's oldest public park.[55] Centrally located on the Halifax peninsula, the wide fields are a popular location for sports. The slopes ofCitadel Hill, overlooking downtown, are favoured by sunbathers and kite-flyers. TheHalifax Public Gardens, a short walk away, are Victorian era public gardens formally established in 1867 and designated aNational Historic Site in 1984.Victoria Park, across the street, contains various monuments and statues erected by theNorth British Society, as well as a fountain. In contrast to the urban parks, the expansivePoint Pleasant Park at the southern tip of the peninsula is heavily forested and contains the remains of numerous British fortifications.[citation needed]
Located on the opposite side of the harbour, theDartmouth Commons is a large park next toDowntown Dartmouth laid out in the 1700s. It is home to the Leighton Dillman gardens and various sports grounds. Nearby, the Dartmouth waterfront trail stretches from Downtown Dartmouth to Woodside. Among residents of central Dartmouth, the area aroundSullivan's Pond andLake Banook is popular for strolling and paddling. The forestedShubie Park, through which the historicShubenacadie Canal runs, is a major park in suburban Dartmouth.[citation needed]
Mainland Halifax is home to several significant parks, includingSir Sandford Fleming Park, gifted to the people of Halifax by SirSandford Fleming. It houses the Dingle Tower, dedicated in 1912 by theDuke of Connaught to commemorate 150 years of representative government in Nova Scotia. The Mainland Common, inClayton Park, is a modern park home to various sports and community facilities.Long Lake Provincial Park, comprising more than 2,000 hectares, was designated in 1984 and affords Halifax residents access to a scenic wilderness in close proximity to the urban communities.[56]
The waterfront in Downtown Halifax is the site of theHalifax Harbourwalk, a 3-kilometre (2 mi)boardwalk popular among tourists and locals alike. Many mid-sized ships dock here at one of the many wharfs. The harbourwalk is home to aHalifax Transit ferry terminal, hundreds of stores,Historic Properties, several office buildings, theCasino Nova Scotia, and several public squares wherebuskers perform, most prominently at the annual Halifax International Busker Festival every August.[citation needed]
Cruise ships visit the province frequently. In 2015, the Port of Halifax welcomed 141 vessel calls with 222,309 passengers.[59][better source needed]
Halifax's print media is centred on its single daily newspaper, the broadsheetChronicle Herald as well as two free newspapers, the daily commuter-oriented edition ofMetro International and the free alternative arts weeklyThe Coast.[citation needed]
Halifax has severalonline daily newspapers.allNovaScotia is a daily, subscriber-only outlet which focuses on business and political news from across the province.[60]CityNews Halifax, associated with theCJNI-FM radio station, was created from a merger of the former News 95.7 andHalifaxToday (previouslyLocal Xpress) news websites. TheHalifax Examiner was founded by the former news editor ofThe Coast in 2014 and, likeallNovaScotia, is supported through subscriptions.
From 1974 to 2008, Halifax had a second daily newspaper, the tabloidThe Daily News, which still publishes several neighbourhood weekly papers such asThe Bedford-Sackville Weekly News,The Halifax West-Clayton Park Weekly News and theDartmouth-Cole Harbour Weekly News. These weekly papers compete withThe Chronicle-Herald's weekly Community HeraldsHRM West,HRM East, andHRM North.[citation needed]
TheHalifax Thunderbirds became the city'sNational Lacrosse League team in September 2018, when it moved fromRochester.[65] In March 12, 2020, their inaugural season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.[66] Still, the team received two league awards: Defensive Player of the Year and Executive of the Year.[67][68] In the 2021–2022 season, they reached their first playoffs, where they were defeated by theToronto Rock 14–13 in overtime[69] in the conference semi-final.
Canadian Premier League action in June 2019
Halifax's first professional soccer club is theHFX Wanderers FC and are part of Canada's primary national soccer league, theCanadian Premier League. On May 25, 2018, the team was officially announced and that they would be playing at a temporary stadium on Halifax'sWanderers Grounds.[70] They played their first league game on April 28, 2019, in 1–0 away loss toPacific FC.[71]
The city's other professional soccer club, and newest professional team, is theHalifax Tides FC. The club competes in theNorthern Super League, in the highest level of theCanadian soccer league system. The club's inaugural season began in 2025, and it was first incorporated as Atlantic Women's FC Limited in early 2024, as one of the league's six founding franchises.[72] The Tides play their home games at theWanderers Grounds in downtown Halifax.[73]
Finally, the newest revival of professional basketball in Halifax, theHalifax Hoopers. The Hoopers are part of the North Atlantic division ofThe Basketball League. The team was announced in August 2024[74] and started their season in 2025.
Current professional/semi-professional sports teams in Halifax
Dalhousie University's varsity team goes by the monikerTigers. They have teams for basketball, hockey, soccer, swimming, track and field, cross country running, and volleyball. The Tigers garnered a number of championships in the first decade of the 20th century, winning 63 AUS championships and two U Sports championships.[77]
Finally, two of Halifax's smaller universities are part of theCanadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).Mount Saint Vincent University, home to the Mystics, competes in theAtlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA), a member of the CCAA, in Women's & Men's Basketball, Women's & Men's Soccer, Cross Country and Women's Volleyball.[79] The Mystics hold a championship titles in all sports, making them the most acclaimed team of the ACAA division.University of King's College is also a member of the ACAA. The varsity athletics teams at the University of King's College are named the Blue Devils.[80] Sporting teams include men's and women's basketball, soccer, badminton and rugby, and women's volleyball.[81]
Halifax was selected in 2006 as the host municipality in Canada's bid for the2014 Commonwealth Games but withdrew on March 8, 2007, citing ballooning costs from final estimates of $1.7 billion up from $785 million.[82]
At thecensus metropolitan area (CMA) level in the 2021 census, the Halifax CMA had a population of465,703 living in201,138 of its211,789 total private dwellings, a change of9.1% from its 2016 population of426,932. With a land area of 7,276.22 km2 (2,809.36 sq mi), it had a population density of64.0/km2 (165.8/sq mi) in 2021.[83]
Prior to 1996, the figures are for Halifax County. From 1996 onwards, the figures are for Halifax Regional Municipality. Source:Statistics Canada
In the2021 Census of Population conducted byStatistics Canada, the Halifax Regional Municipality had a population of 439,819 living in 190,512 of its 200,473 total private dwellings, a change of9.1% from its 2016 population of 403,131. With a land area of 5,475.57 km2 (2,114.13 sq mi), it had a population density of80.3/km2 (208.0/sq mi) in 2021.[2]
The2021 census reported thatimmigrants (individuals born outside Canada) comprise 50,595 persons or 12.6% of the total population of Halifax. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were United Kingdom (6,345 persons or 12.5%), India (4,785 persons or 9.5%), China (3,740 persons or 7.4%), United States of America (3,545 persons or 7.0%), Philippines (3,415 persons or 6.7%), Syria (2,085 persons or 4.1%), Nigeria (1,625 persons or 3.2%), Lebanon (1,340 persons or 2.6%), South Korea (1,020 persons or 2.0%), and Iran (980 persons or 1.9%).[84]
St. Paul's Church is the oldest Christian church in Halifax.Halifax is a religiously diverse municipality, and has several landmark religious institutions:[90]
Before 1996, figures were from Halifax County. After 1996, figures onwards are for Halifax Regional Municipality. Source:[91][92][93][94][95]
As of 2021, the population centre (urban area) of Halifax housed 348,634 people living in 154,883 of its 162,336 total private dwellings.[3] The human population density of Halifax's population centre was approximately1,463.1/km2 (3,789.3/sq mi).[3]
Between 2016 and 2021, the urban area (population centre) and municipal areas experienced strong growth. Over that time-frame; the municipality added 36,688 people (an increase of over 9.1%), and the urban area (population centre) added 31,300 people (an increase of over 9.8%).
The urban area of Halifax is a major economic centre in eastern Canada with a large concentration of government services and private sector companies. Halifax serves as the business, banking, government and cultural centre for the Maritime region. The largest employment sectors within the municipality include trade (36,400 jobs), health care and socialassistance (31,800 jobs), professional services (19,000 jobs), education (17,400 jobs), and public administration (15,800 jobs).[96] The Halifax economy is growing, with theConference Board of Canada predicting strong 3.0% GDP growth for 2015.[96]
Agriculture, fishing, mining, forestry and natural gas extraction are major resource industries found in the rural areas of the municipality. Halifax's largest agricultural district is in theMusquodoboit Valley; the total number of farms in Halifax is 150, of which 110 are family-owned. Fishing harbours are located along all coastal areas with some having an independent harbour authority, such as theSheet Harbour Industrial Port,[99] and others being managed as small craft harbours under the federalFisheries and Oceans Canada.
The Halifax Regional Municipality is governed by amayor (elected at large) and a sixteen-personcouncil. Councillors are elected by geographic district, with municipal elections occurring every four years. The current mayor of Halifax isAndy Fillmore. TheHalifax Regional Council is responsible for all facets ofmunicipal government, including theHalifax Regional Police,Halifax Public Libraries,Halifax Fire and Emergency,Halifax Regional Water Commission, parks and recreation, civic addressing, public works, waste management, and planning and development.[100] The provincial legislation that provides governance oversight to the municipality is the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.[100] The municipality has a proposed operating budget of $869 million for 2015–2016.[101]
The municipality also has fourcommunity councils that consider local matters. Each community council comprises five or six regional councillors representing neighbouring districts.[102] Most community council decisions are subject to final approval by regional council.[100]
Established in 1818,Dalhousie University is among the oldest English-language post-secondary institutions in Canada.
Halifax has a well-developed network of public and private schools, providing instruction from grade primary to grade twelve; 137 public schools are administered by theHalifax Regional Centre for Education, while eight public schools are administered by theConseil scolaire acadien provincial.[106] The municipality's fourteen private schools are operated independently.[citation needed]
In recent years, the municipality has also begun to place increased emphasis on developing bicycling infrastructure. Halifax has developed 100 km (62 mi) of bikeways, 89 km (55 mi) of which are dedicated bicycle lanes.[108]
Public transit is provided byHalifax Transit, which operates standard bus routes, regional express bus routes, as well as the pedestrian-onlyHalifax-Dartmouth Ferry Service. Established in 1752, the municipality's ferry service is the oldest continuously runningsalt water ferry service in North America.[109]
ThePort of Halifax is North America's first inbound and last outbound shipping gateway to Europe.
The Halifax Port Authority's various shipping terminals constitute the eastern terminus ofCanadian National Railway's transcontinental network.Via Rail Canada provides overnight passenger rail service from theHalifax Railway Station three days a week toMontreal with theOcean, a train equipped with sleeper cars that stops in major centres along the way, such as Moncton. The Halifax Railway Station also serves as the terminus forMaritime Bus, which serves destinations across the Maritimes.[citation needed]
Halifax Harbour is a major port used by numerous shipping lines, administered by theHalifax Port Authority. TheRoyal Canadian Navy and theCanadian Coast Guard have major installations along prominent sections of coastline in both Halifax and Dartmouth. The harbour is also home to a public ferry service connecting downtown Halifax to two locations in Dartmouth, with plans in development to add an additional ferry route connecting downtown and Bedford by 2028.[110]
Sheet Harbour is the other major port in the municipality and serves industrial users on theEastern Shore.[citation needed]
Hakodate, Japan (1982). The cities chose to twin because they both havestar forts and are both maritime ports. Halifax has donated many fir trees to the annual Hakodate Christmas Fantasy festival.[111][112]
Campeche, Mexico (1999). Campeche was chosen because, like Halifax, it is "a capital of a state" and is "a city of similar size to Halifax on or near the coast having rich historical tradition".[113]
Norfolk,Virginia, United States (2006). Norfolk was chosen because, like Halifax, its economy "depends heavily on the presence of the Armed Forces, and both cities are very proud of their military history".[114]
Portsmouth, England (2023). Halifax and Portsmouth signed a sister city agreement in early 2023. They chose to twin as both cities are historic naval and shipbuilding centres. Additionally, both cities are centres for university education.[115][116]
^Based on station coordinates provided by Environment Canada and documentation from theNova Scotian Institute of Science, weather data was collected inWest End, Halifax from January 1863 to July 1933, atCitadel Hill from August 1933 to August 1939, atDowntown Halifax from September 1939 to July 1974, atCitadel Hill from August 1974 to January 2002 and atCFB Halifax (Windsor Park and Halifax Dockyard) from September 2004 to present.
^Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
^Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
^Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
^Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
^Grenier, John.The Far Reaches of Empire. War in Nova Scotia, 1710-1760. Norman: U of Oklahoma Press, 2008; Thomas Beamish Akins.History of Halifax. Brookhouse Press, 1895. (2002 edition). p. 7
^Wicken, p. 181; Griffith, p. 390; Also see"Recent Projects". Northeast Archaeological Research. 2003. Archived fromthe original on May 14, 2013. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2014.
^"CBC - Halifax Explosion 1917". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. September 19, 2003.Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. RetrievedFebruary 25, 2011.
^Time: Disasters that Shook the World. New York City: Time Home Entertainment. 2012. p. 56.ISBN978-1-60320-247-3.
^Jacques, John (March 12, 2024)."Halifax To Get Pro Women's Soccer Team".Northern Tribune.Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. RetrievedJune 14, 2024.The provincial company listing shows [...] Marie Bowie, Amanda Sparkes, Tara Larsen, Courtney Sherlock, Miriam Zitner, and Andrea Thompson listed as directors. Bowie is a former national team player...
^Jacques, John (June 13, 2024)."Northern Super League: Halifax Tides Makes A Splash".Northern Tribune.Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. RetrievedJune 14, 2024.Matheson had stated previously that Halifax will likely be the only team playing on grass, which implies that Wanderers Grounds may fit the bill...
^"Census Profile, 2016 Census".www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017.Archived from the original on March 7, 2020. RetrievedMarch 18, 2020.
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