Metropolitan Halifax
Encyclopedia
Metropolitan Halifax often referred to as Metro Halifax, or Halifax, is the urban part of the Halifax Regional Municipality, a regional municipality
that covers a large area of Nova Scotia
, including rural areas. Metropolitan Halifax is a broad term used to distinguish the urban core of the HRM from the city of Halifax
, since Halifax is only one of three major urban areas within Metropolitan Halifax, the others being Dartmouth
and Bedford
. Metropolitan Halifax is the most populous urban area
in Atlantic Canada
and home to Nova Scotia
's capital district.
While the majority of urban area
s include a city surrounded by towns and suburbs that are often self or separately governed from the city, Metropolitan Halifax is unusual in that the entire urban, suburban and rural commuter-shed—as well as a substantial unrelated rural area—are all a part of a single-tier municipal corporation called the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), a regional municipality
that governs Halifax County
, covering a geographic area larger than the province of Prince Edward Island
.
Metropolitan Halifax benefits from a process of increased rural depopulation and corresponding urban growth in Atlantic Canada during the late 20th century—a demographic shift that was delayed several decades in the region compared with other parts of North America
.
The urban area of HRM is located in the western end of the municipality, fronting on Halifax Harbour
. The dense urban core is centered on the Halifax Peninsula
and the area of Dartmouth
inside of the Circumferential Highway. The suburban area stretches beyond Mainland Halifax
to the west, Cole Harbour
to the east, and Bedford
, Lower Sackville
, Fall River
and Windsor Junction
areas to the north. The municipal government considers all of the urban, suburban and rural commutershed to be a part of the Halifax urban area.
Unlike most cities with a sizable census metropolitan area
, Halifax Regional Municipality's suburbs are incorporated into the Halifax Region proper, with the urban area including the urban core, suburban communities and a rural commuter shed that encompasses almost half the region.
This urban area constitutes the most populous urban area on Canada's Atlantic coast
, and the second largest coastal population centre in the country, after Vancouver. HRM currently accounts for 40% of Nova Scotia's population, and 15% of that of the Atlantic provinces.
The north eastern area of HRM, centered on Sheet Harbour, is completely rural. This area is not a part of the Halifax urban area, and has more in common with neighbouring counties such as Guysborough
. and has little day to day interaction the rest of the region.
The town of Halifax was established by the British to counter-balance the French
presence in Québec
and Acadia
, which at the time included present-day New Brunswick
, Prince Edward Island
, Cape Breton Island
and the Gaspe Peninsula
. For most of its early history, Halifax was the primary North Atlantic base for the Royal Navy
, it prospered during times of conflict and languished during times of peace. Despite Halifax's status as the regional centre and colonial capital, the city had difficulty sustaining peacetime economic success in its early years.
The four municipalities in the Halifax urban area had been coordinating service delivery through the Halifax Metropolitan Authority since the late 1970s, but remained independent towns and cities until April 1, 1996. On that date, the Province created the Halifax Regional Municipality by dissolving and amalgamating the City of Halifax
, the City of Dartmouth
, the Town of Bedford
and Municipality of the County of Halifax
.
Regional municipality
A regional municipality is a type of Canadian municipal government similar to and at the same municipal government level as a county, although the specific structure and servicing responsibilities may vary from place to place...
that covers a large area of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, including rural areas. Metropolitan Halifax is a broad term used to distinguish the urban core of the HRM from the city of Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, since Halifax is only one of three major urban areas within Metropolitan Halifax, the others being Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
and Bedford
Bedford, Nova Scotia
Bedford is a community in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was an independent town from 1980-1996. Bedford lies on the northwestern end of Bedford Basin, an extension of the Halifax Harbour...
. Metropolitan Halifax is the most populous urban area
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
and home to Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
's capital district.
While the majority of urban area
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
s include a city surrounded by towns and suburbs that are often self or separately governed from the city, Metropolitan Halifax is unusual in that the entire urban, suburban and rural commuter-shed—as well as a substantial unrelated rural area—are all a part of a single-tier municipal corporation called the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), a regional municipality
Regional municipality
A regional municipality is a type of Canadian municipal government similar to and at the same municipal government level as a county, although the specific structure and servicing responsibilities may vary from place to place...
that governs Halifax County
Halifax County, Nova Scotia
Halifax County is a county in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.The Municipality of the County of Halifax was the municipal government of Halifax County, apart from the separately incorporated towns and cities therein...
, covering a geographic area larger than the province of Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
.
Metropolitan Halifax benefits from a process of increased rural depopulation and corresponding urban growth in Atlantic Canada during the late 20th century—a demographic shift that was delayed several decades in the region compared with other parts of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
Geography
Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
. The dense urban core is centered on the Halifax Peninsula
Halifax Peninsula
The Halifax Peninsula is a community and planning area located in the urban core of Halifax Regional Municipality in the province of Nova Scotia. Halifax Peninsula is home to Downtown Halifax, the financial and economic heart of the region, which was also the site of the original settlement and...
and the area of Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
inside of the Circumferential Highway. The suburban area stretches beyond Mainland Halifax
Mainland Halifax
Mainland Halifax is a region in central Nova Scotia, Canada that refers to the central-eastern part of the Chebucto Peninsula in the Halifax Regional Municipality...
to the west, Cole Harbour
Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia
Cole Harbour is a Canadian suburban community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality. It is the hometown of Sidney Crosby.-Geography:...
to the east, and Bedford
Bedford, Nova Scotia
Bedford is a community in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was an independent town from 1980-1996. Bedford lies on the northwestern end of Bedford Basin, an extension of the Halifax Harbour...
, Lower Sackville
Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
Lower Sackville is a suburban community located in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is part of the urban area of Halifax ....
, Fall River
Fall River, Nova Scotia
Fall River is a Canadian suburban community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.It is located north of the Bedford Basin, northwest of Bedford, east of Lower Sackville and north and west of Waverley....
and Windsor Junction
Windsor Junction, Nova Scotia
Windsor Junction is a Canadian suburban community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality. It is located 15.6 km north west of the HRM urban core, 3 km north of the Bedford Basin near the communities of Waverley, Fall River and Lower Sackville.-Railway history:The name of the...
areas to the north. The municipal government considers all of the urban, suburban and rural commutershed to be a part of the Halifax urban area.
Unlike most cities with a sizable census metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
, Halifax Regional Municipality's suburbs are incorporated into the Halifax Region proper, with the urban area including the urban core, suburban communities and a rural commuter shed that encompasses almost half the region.
This urban area constitutes the most populous urban area on Canada's Atlantic coast
Coast
A coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
, and the second largest coastal population centre in the country, after Vancouver. HRM currently accounts for 40% of Nova Scotia's population, and 15% of that of the Atlantic provinces.
The north eastern area of HRM, centered on Sheet Harbour, is completely rural. This area is not a part of the Halifax urban area, and has more in common with neighbouring counties such as Guysborough
Guysborough County, Nova Scotia
Guysborough County is a county in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.-History:Taking its name from the Township of Guysborough, which was named in honour of Sir Guy Carleton, Guysborough County was created when Sydney County was divided in 1836.In 1840, the Township of St. Mary's, in Guysborough...
. and has little day to day interaction the rest of the region.
History
- For the history of the present day community and the former city of Halifax, see City of HalifaxCity of HalifaxHalifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, for information since 1996, consult the History of the Halifax Regional MunicipalityHistory of the Halifax Regional MunicipalityThe Halifax Regional Municipality is one of the newest municipalities in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, in terms of incorporation.It was formed on April 1, 1996 by dissolving and amalgamating the following municipalities:* City of Halifax...
.
The town of Halifax was established by the British to counter-balance the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
presence in Québec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and Acadia
Acadia
Acadia was the name given to lands in a portion of the French colonial empire of New France, in northeastern North America that included parts of eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and modern-day Maine. At the end of the 16th century, France claimed territory stretching as far south as...
, which at the time included present-day New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island is an island on the Atlantic coast of North America. It likely corresponds to the word Breton, the French demonym for Brittany....
and the Gaspe Peninsula
Gaspé Peninsula
The Gaspésie , or Gaspé Peninsula or the Gaspé, is a peninsula along the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada, extending into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
. For most of its early history, Halifax was the primary North Atlantic base for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, it prospered during times of conflict and languished during times of peace. Despite Halifax's status as the regional centre and colonial capital, the city had difficulty sustaining peacetime economic success in its early years.
The four municipalities in the Halifax urban area had been coordinating service delivery through the Halifax Metropolitan Authority since the late 1970s, but remained independent towns and cities until April 1, 1996. On that date, the Province created the Halifax Regional Municipality by dissolving and amalgamating the City of Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, the City of Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
, the Town of Bedford
Bedford, Nova Scotia
Bedford is a community in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was an independent town from 1980-1996. Bedford lies on the northwestern end of Bedford Basin, an extension of the Halifax Harbour...
and Municipality of the County of Halifax
Halifax County, Nova Scotia
Halifax County is a county in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.The Municipality of the County of Halifax was the municipal government of Halifax County, apart from the separately incorporated towns and cities therein...
.