Why is Nova Scotia considered one of Canada’s Maritime Provinces?

Nova Scotia is classified as one of Canada’s Maritime Provinces—along with New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island—primarily due to its geographic location on the Atlantic coast and its historical and economic reliance on the sea.123

The term "Maritime Provinces" specifically refers to these three east-coast provinces, distinguishing them from the broader group known as the Atlantic Provinces, which also includes Newfoundland and Labrador. Nova Scotia’s identity as a maritime region is deeply rooted in its long-standing engagement with fishing, shipbuilding, and transatlantic shipping. Geographically, the province is defined by its position on the eastern seaboard of North America, featuring a peninsula that extends into the Atlantic Ocean and is surrounded by various straits and bays, further cementing its connection to the maritime environment.132