Why did the British establish Halifax in 1749?

The British established the fortified town of Halifax in 1749 primarily to serve as a strategic counterbalance to Louisbourg, the French stronghold on Cape Breton Island.12

Following the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, which ended the War of the Austrian Succession, Louisbourg was restored to France. To protect their interests in Nova Scotia and maintain a military presence in the region, the British government, led by the Board of Trade and Plantations, authorized the settlement. Edward Cornwallis arrived with approximately 2,500 settlers to establish the town, which was chosen for its location on one of the world's largest and deepest ice-free natural harbours. This site provided the British with a critical military and naval base to project power in North America during the ongoing Anglo-French rivalry.321