New Brunswick General Information Area: 71,440 sq km (27,354 sq miles). Population: 738,133 (1996). Population Density: 10.1 per sq km. Capital: Fredericton. Population: 46,466 (1996). GEOGRAPHY: New Brunswick, which is below the Gaspé Peninsula, shares its western border with Maine and has 2250km (1400 miles) of coast on the Gulf of St Lawrence and the Bay of Fundy. Its landscape comprises forested hills with rivers cutting through them. The main feature is St John River Valley in the south. Northern and eastern coastal regions give way to the extensive drainage basin of the Miramichi River in the central area. Language: New Brunswick is officially bilingual (English and French) with approximately 33 per cent of the population being French speaking. Time: GMT - 4 (GMT - 3 in summer). Note: Daylight saving officially lasts from the first Sunday in April to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October. Public Holidays Public holidays are as for the rest of Canada (see general Canada section), with the following dates also observed: Aug 4 2003 New Brunswick Day. Aug 2 2004 New Brunswick Day. Travel - International AIR: Greater Moncton Airport (YQM) hosts international flights operated by Canada 3000 (2T) to St Petersburg (Florida) and to Paris (France). International connections can often be made via Halifax (Nova Scotia). Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton are connected to Montréal by inter-provincial flights operated by Air Canada and its local affiliate Air Nova. There are airports offering local services at Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, Charlo, Miramichi, Saint-Léonard and Bathurst. SEA: Ferries run from Nova Scotia to Saint John, from Maine to the Fundy Islands and from Québec to Dalhousie near Campbellton. Prince Edward Island is now accessible via the Confederation Bridge. There is a full coastal ferry service between all ports in the province. For timetables, contact the local tourist information office. RAIL: VIA Rail runs six times a week from Montréal to Halifax, three times via Mont Joli and via Saint John. ROAD: The Trans-Canada Highway follows the St John River Valley from Edmundston in the north to Moncton in the east, with the majority of the highways branching off it. There are over 16,000km (10,000 miles) of roads in the province. Accommodation There are around 200 hotels/motels and 250 bed & breakfast inns. The main centres of population are on the coast and in the river valleys, and these generally offer the best choice of hotel or motel accommodation. There are also numerous guest-houses, bed & breakfast establishments and youth hostels. For information on accommodation, contact Tourism New Brunswick (see Contact Addresses section). Grading: Accommodation is graded by the New Brunswick Grading Authority according to the Atlantic Canada Accommodations Grading Program as follows: 1-star:Basic, clean, comfortable accommodation; 2-star:Basic, clean, comfortable accommodation with extra amenities; 3-star: Better quality accommodation with a greater range of services; 4-star: High-quality accommodation with extended range of facilities, amenities and guest services; 5-star: Deluxe accommodation with the greatest range of facilities, amenities and guest services. CAMPING/CARAVANNING: New Brunswick has 11 provincial parks which have extensive camping facilities. More than 100 privately owned campsites operate in the area. A number of companies can arrange motor camper rentals, with a range of fully equipped vehicles. For further information, contact Canadream Campers (website: www.canadream.com). Full details can be obtained from New Brunswick Investment and Exports, Tourism Section (see Contact Addresses section). Introduction New Brunswick is a maritime province with three coastlines – on Chaleur Bay, the Northumberland Strait and the Bay of Fundy. Routes along these coasts can provide an interesting introduction to the area. South BAY OF FUNDY COASTAL DRIVE REGION: Saint John, New Brunswick’s largest city has been a shipbuilding centre since the last century. Replicas of sailing ships can be seen in the New Brunswick Museum. Other historic sites include the Loyalist House and the Old County Courthouse. The city was also a bastion for the British Loyalists, who flocked there in May 1783 to escape from the victorious American rebels after the War of Independence. The Reversing Falls are a natural phenomenon caused by the powerful tidal waters of the Bay of Fundy finding an upstream outlet into the rocky river gorge. The coastline is battered by the tempestuous 14m (48ft) tides of the Bay of Fundy, resulting in dramatic scenery such as the Hopewell Cape’s sandstone ‘flowerpots’ – enormous rock formations that have been likened to flowerpots because of their shape and peculiar sprouts of green foliage. Visitors should stay alert to the powerful incoming tide however, which can rise as much as 14m (46 feet). St Andrews has some well-preserved 18th-century houses as well as The Blockhouse, built in 1812 to defend the town from US incursions. Blacks Harbour has a ferry to the little-known and unspoilt Fundy Islands, of which Grand Manan, the largest, boasts beautiful rare flora and fauna. Whales and dolphins can often be spotted from the shoreline. It is also a centre for collecting dulse (edible seaweed) which is a speciality of the province. Deer Island and Campobello Island are reached by ferry from Letete. To the east of Saint John is Fundy National Park, the area’s most popular resort. Much of it is set on a plateau 300m (985ft) above sea level with 110km (69 miles) of hiking trails and 700 campsites. The huge range of organised activities there includes an Arts and Crafts School. Rowboats and canoes can be rented to navigate the tidal flats where tides can rise by 14m (52ft) a day. At low tide, guided walks of the ocean floor are led by naturalists. The park is situated on the major Atlantic bird migratory route, providing good birdwatching opportunities. The Fundy tides cause an impressive tidal bore at Moncton, the province’s second-largest city. At Magnetic Hill, a popular natural attraction, an optical illusion makes it seem as if cars are being ‘pulled’ uphill. Family entertainments are provided at the Magic Mountain Water Theme Park and Crystal Palace Amusement Park. West THE RIVER VALLEY REGION: The St John River Valley provides a scenic route to the capital, with the uncluttered resort of Grand Lake on the way. Fredericton, 110km (70 miles) upriver from Saint John and the Bay of Fundy, is the province’s capital. It is the legislative and academic centre of New Brunswick and possesses some fine neo-classical and Victorian architecture such as the Legislative Building, Christ Church Cathedral and Government House. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is one of the finest in Canada with an extensive collection of Canadian, British and Renaissance paintings. Salvador Dali’s painting St James the Great forms the centrepiece of the collection. Cruises on the St John River are possible. On Saturdays, the Farmer’s Market is the focus for Frederictonians and visitors alike. North of the city, the highly developed resort of Mactaquac Provincial Park offers a huge range of outdoor activities. Nearby King’s Landing Historical Settlement, a reconstructed loyalist village, is also worth visiting for its insights into the 17th-century pioneering lifestyle. Central MIRAMICHI RIVER ROUTE: Salmon fishing on the Miramichi River is recommended. There are also numerous walking tours and trails along the river. A 7.5km foot trail from Chatham to Loggieville winds along the abandoned Colonial Rail Line, one of the area’s main forms of transport during the 19th century. The Aboriginal town of Metepenagiag (Red Bank First Nation) just outside of the town of Miramichi, is New Brunswick’s oldest town, with archaeological finds that date back more than 3000 years. East THE ACADIAN COASTAL DRIVE REGION: The eastern shoreline, once a French stronghold, has a temperate climate and some excellent beaches, particularly near Kouchibouguac National Park, where a network of boardwalks protects the fragile sand dune ecology: the park is the home of more than 223 species of birds, and ocean canoe trips are offered to view nearby seal colonies. La Dune de Bouctouche, one of the world’s last surviving white sand dunes, has an award-winning eco-visitor centre. In the south, Shediac hosts an annual lobster festival; at Parlee Beach nearby is the largest and best beach in the province. North of this, the area around Tracadie is still a French-speaking enclave and deep-sea fishing charters are available here. A 500-acre Acadian Village at Caraquet recreates the lifestyle of the 18th-century Breton settlers whose descendants still dominate the northeast corner of the province. Sport & Activities Outdoor pursuits: Visitors interested in an active holiday in New Brunswick may obtain more details from the numerous Adventure Outlets and Adventure Stations (recognisable by an Adventure Lighthouse symbol) located throughout the province. The Tourism section also offers a special ‘Day Adventure Programme’, with over 100 activities available that can be done in one day (tel: (800) 561 0123; toll free in USA and Canada). A new network of walking, hiking and biking trails includes the International Appalachian Trail, a network of paths linking to the Appalachian Trail in the US at Mount Katahdin; Le Petit Temis, a cycling and hiking trail stretching from Edmundston to Riviere-du-Loup in Québec; the Fundy Trail Parkway, 27km (17 miles) of hiking and cycling trails along the Bay of Fundy; and the Acadian Coastal Trail, a network of walking and biking routes beginning at Dalhousie. Whale watching is extremely popular due to the Bay of Fundy’s boast of more whale species, more often, than anywhere else in the world; the waters of the Bay of Fundy are home to over 15 species, including the rare right whale. Whale-watching tours depart from different regions around the province, including Deer Island, Campobello Island, Grand Manan and St Andrews. Watersports: New Brunswick’s beaches are renowned for their warm water and there are 42 so-called ‘ocean hot spots’ which are particularly good for swimming, notably Parlee Beach and Kelly’s Beach (in Kouchibouguac National Park). There are plenty of opportunities for fishing in New Brunswick’s 3814km (19,884 miles) of rivers and streams. The Mirimachi River, in particular, is famous for salmon fishing. Deep-sea fishing boats are open for charter. The booklet ‘Fish New Brunswick’, which gives details on fish species, seasons and regulations, is available free of charge from the Department of Natural Resources and Energy, Fish and Wildlife Branch, PO Box 6000, Fredericton NB, E3B 5H1 (tel: (506) 453 2440; website: www.gnb.ca). Sailing and skindiving are popular, and the annual Renforth Regatta attracts rowing crews from all over the world. Other: One of the best golf centres is the picturesque resort town of St Andrews-by-the-Sea. For information on golf courses, contact the New Brunswick Golf Association, PO Box 1555, Station A, Fredericton, NB E3B 5G2 (tel: (506) 451 1349 or (877) 833 4662 (toll free in USA and Canada); e-mail: golfnb@nbnet.nb.ca; website: www.golfnb.com). Grand Manan Island is a birdwatching paradise and was the favourite haunt of the famous ornithologist, James Audubon. Wintersports are also well catered for, with more than 9000km (5600 miles) of snowmobile trails and a further 1000km (621 miles) of cross-country skiing trails. Snowmobiling is restricted to the designated trails and requires a valid trail permit, obtainable from the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (tel: (506) 325 2625; e-mail: nbfsc@nb.aibn.com; website: www.nbfsc.com). Social Profile Food & Drink: The province is famous for seafood, particularly Atlantic salmon with its delicate flavour, served with butter, new potatoes and fiddleheads (young fronds of ostrich fern served with butter and seasoned, or used cold in salads). Apples, blueberries and cranberries are common dessert ingredients. Home-made baked beans and steamed brown bread are served as traditional Saturday-night supper. Rapée pie, made with chicken, is an Acadian speciality for Sundays or festivals. Shediac is reputed to be the lobster capital of the world. Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton offer international cuisine as well as local specialities like New Brunswick dulse, an edible seaweed. The minimum drinking age is 19 years old. Nightlife: Music is very much a part of the lives of New Brunswick citizens. Many bars and clubs throughout the province, especially in Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton, feature live music, much of it with a French, Scottish and Irish flavour. The area has recently acquired a reputation for jazz and blues. Shopping: Special purchases include local and provincial handicrafts which are especially worthwhile in New Brunswick. The best markets in Saint John are between Charlotte and Germain streets, forming the Old City Market. This is open all week, with farmers taking over on Friday and Saturday. Moncton has three large shopping areas: Champlain Place, Moncton Mall and Highfield Square. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1730; 1000-2200 in malls. Special Events: There are many seasonal festivities. For full details, contact Tourism New Brunswick (see Contact Addresses section). Listed below is a selection of special events celebrated in New Brunswick during 2003: May 8-10 Salon de la foret, Edmundston. Jun Dory Boat Festival (Petit-Rocher, rowing race). Jun 11-14 Edmunston Jazz and Blues Festival. Jun 30-Jul 7 Cambellton Salmon Festival. Jul 2-6 Downtown Miramichi Rock 'n' Roll Festival. Jul 9-13 Shediac Lobster Festival. Jul 10-13 Baie des Chaleurs Chamber Music Festival, Dalhousie. Jul 12-20 Festival des Peches et de l’Aquaculture du Nouveau-Brunswick, Shippagan. Jul 25-27 New Brunswick Highland Games and Scottish Festival, Fredericton. Jul 28-Aug 2 Woodstock Old Home Week. Celebration of rural life. Jul 30-Aug 3 La Foire Brayonne (concerts, cultural activities and sports events), Edmundston. Aug 1-15 Festival Acadien de Caraquet. Aug 4-8 Miramichi Folksong Festival. Aug 5-10 Festival by the Sea, Saint John. Sep 5-7 Atlantic Balloon Fiesta, Sussex. Sep 10-14 Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, Fredericton. Business Profile Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce, Suite 21, 236 St George Street, Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 1W1 (tel: (506) 857 3980; fax: (506) 859 6131; e-mail: apcc@atcon.com or info@apcc.ca; website: www.apcc.ca); or Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce, Suite 100, 910 Main Street, Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 1G6 (tel: (506) 857 2883; fax: (506) 857 9209; e-mail: moncoc@auracom.com; website: www.gmcc.nb.ca). There are also Chambers of Commerce representing New Brunswick and Fredericton. Conferences/Conventions: For information on conferences and conventions in New Brunswick contact Business New Brunswick, PO Box 6000, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5H1 (tel: (506) 444 5228; fax: (506) 444 4586; website: www.gnb.ca); or Fredericton Tourism, PO Box 130, 11 Carleton Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 4Y7 (tel: (506) 460 2041; fax: (506) 460 2474; e-mail: tourism@city.fredericton.nb.ca; website: www.city.fredericton.nb.ca); or Tourism Saint John, PO Box 1971, 15 Market Square, Saint John, New Brunswick E2L 4L1 (tel: (506) 658 2990; fax: (506) 632 6118; e-mail: visitsj@cityofsaintjohn.com; website: www.city.saint-john.nb.ca); or Moncton Convention & Visitors Bureau (tel: (506) 853 3590; fax: (506) 856 4352). Climate Summer is warm with cooler evenings. Autumn is relatively mild. Winters are cold with heavy snows. Required clothing: Light- to mediumweights during summer months, heavyweights in winter. Waterproofing is advisable all year. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.