Climate
| Climate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Daily highs °C | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 13 | 8 | 3 |
| Nightly lows °C | -9 | -8 | -4 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 1 | -5 |
| Precipitation mm | 151 | 114 | 134 | 121 | 119 | 108 | 106 | 98 | 107 | 135 | 154 | 160 |
| See the Halifax 7 day forecast at Environment Canada |
Orientation
The city of Halifax is on Halifax Peninsula, on the west side of the harbour, with Dartmouth to the east. The main landmark is the Halifax Citadel, on a high hill above the city, and it conveniently divides the city into three districts: the South End, representing the older, wealthier urban core south of the Citadel; the North End, the grittier northern suburbs destroyed by the Explosion; and the largely residential West End. The downtown core is sandwiched between the Citadel and the sea, making navigation a snap.
Inhabitants of the city are known as Haligonians.
Understand
Halifax is the provincial and regional hub of Nova Scotia. It is still, however, a smaller city by North American standards 2010 pop. 412,012. Rather than feeling relegated to 'second-fiddle' status, this dichotomy is celebrated by residents who take pride in their slower pace and warm hospitality.
History
While the area around Halifax has been inhabited by native Mi'kmaq for millennia, modern Halifax was founded on June 21, 1749 as a British military outpost. Easily defended and featuring the world's second largest natural harbour, Halifax proved its worth during the Seven Years' War against the French and later in the American Revolutionary War, and as the base grew in size and importance, a significant population of merchants and other civilians sprung up in its wake.
On December 6, 1917, the collision of a munitions ship loaded with 2,500 tons of explosives resulted in the Halifax Explosion, which killed over 2,000 people and leveled the northern half of the city.
The city was quickly rebuilt and World War II saw Halifax busier than ever, with British supply convoys assembling to start their perilous journey across the Atlantic as German U-boats lurked offshore. After the war, over a million immigrants to Canada passed through Halifax.
Visitor information
Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre
Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre