Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, June 20, 2016
Atlantic Canada is a Canadian region with Nordic landscape, European heart and American soul. Surroundings here, small windowed colorful buildings, red topped lighthouses, rocky coast, scenic fishing villages, green hills, or even the chilly foggy weather, all spread strong Scandinavia flavor. Large cities like Quebec or St. John's, looks more European than American. The only thing distinguishing from a European country is the mixed culture, where French and English are living side by side to each other, jointly influence the region from past till now, a peculiarity to immigrants formed Canada where multiculturalism has been long encouraged.
This region is where Canadian history begins. The human history of Canada is usually thought of as starting around the 17th century with the arrival of European colonists. But before that, American Indians actually populated parts of Atlantic Canada roughly 7,500 years ago, and so did Inuit 4,000 years later. One of the most amazing historical episodes is the short visit by Vikings around A.D. 1,000, they sailed all the way down from Greenland and reached northern tip of Newfoundland, 500 years before Columbus 'discovered' America. Vikings abandoned the site only ten years after without leaving any blood. Portuguese and Italian fishermen respectively landed Newfoundland and Cape Breton in 15th century, followed by their French and Irish counterparts. The French established the region's first permanent settlement in 1,605, marked the beginning of first wave of European colonization. Since then English and French each on and off ruled the region for some years until in 1867 Canada was created an independent nation and endowed equal right of both.
Over time french settlers split into regional communities and each evolved towards different culture dimensions. Most settled down in western Quebec, nowadays so-called Quebecers; rests live discretely across Atlantic Canada called Acadians, speaking a slightly different french. A small group of them immigrated to Luisiana in States, developed a distinct culture and language, and been called Cajuns. Today, Acadia Canada remains frenchmost of North America, proved that Canadian French is one of the best to preserve their past.
Acadian Ladies, Cabot Trial, June 28, 2016
In a Canadian's mind Maritime provinces can be best described by what surrounds them: the sea. Indeed, you never far from tremendously beautiful blue Atlantic when driving across there. All major highways carry you alongside it, to and from it. It is a land with immense beauty, activities and destinations come from always, and the deeper you dig, the more experiences you find.
If you ever travel around the globe, you may argue that Atlantic Canada lacks of world class attractions. True, but this region has no shortage of one-of-a-kind experiences that make you see the world anew: Kayaking around icebergs, watching whales, rafting an actual tidal wave, or driving across some most beautiful trials, etc. There are simply too many cool sites to visit, and thus in the end I decided to only pick several selected tastes to highlight the very best of this amazing land.
In June 2016 I took 17 days to drive across Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, counting almost 10,000 kilometers. Strictly speaking Quebec is not an Atlantic province, but I think it's apparently too European to be counted into English Canada. I skipped PEI to save time and budget for Newfoundland. I have a feeling that Atlantic Canada is good for nature lovers. If you prefer historical sites or modernized large cities, I suggest you go to Europe or States. After all Canada is a country with short history & low population and not much artificial work left to see. All in all I think Maritime is a convenient destination for Canadians to spend their summer vacation, if you don't mind long drive, and money is not a concern.
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