Annapolis Royal

Annapolis Royal
Port-Royal (French)
Town and County seat
Waterfront of Annapolis Royal
View from Fort Anne looking south over Annapolis Basin
Saint Luke's Church
Pierre Dugua Monument
Lighthouse
View of Granville Ferry from Annapolis Royal
Flag of Annapolis Royal
Flag
Nickname: 
Cradle of the Nation
Annapolis Royal is located in Nova Scotia
Annapolis Royal
Annapolis Royal
Location of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
Coordinates: 44°44′30″N 65°30′55″W / 44.74167°N 65.51528°W / 44.74167; -65.51528
CountryCanada
ProvinceNova Scotia
MunicipalityAnnapolis County
Founded1605; 419 years ago (1605) as Port Royal
Incorporated1892; 132 years ago (1892)
Named forAnne, Queen of Great Britain
Electoral Districts     
Federal
West Nova
ProvincialAnnapolis
Government
 • MayorAmery Boyer
 • Governing BodyAnnapolis Royal Town Council
 • MLACarman Kerr (L)
 • MPChris d'Entremont (C)
Area
(2016)[1]
 • Total
2.04 km2 (0.79 sq mi)
Highest elevation
7 m (23 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total
530
 • Density268.3/km2 (695/sq mi)
DemonymAnnapolitan
Time zoneUTC-4 (AST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-3 (Atlantic Daylight Saving Time)
Postal code
B0S1A0
Area code902
Telephone Exchange526, 532
Official nameAnnapolis Royal Historic District National Historic Site of Canada
Designated1994
Websiteannapolisroyal.com

Annapolis Royal is a town in and the county seat of Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, Canada. The community, known as Port Royal before 1710,[2] is recognised as having one of the longest histories in North America, preceding the settlements at Plymouth, Jamestown and Quebec.[3] For nearly 150 years, it served as the capital of Acadia and subsequently Nova Scotia until the establishment of Halifax in 1749.[2][4]

In 1605, France established a settlement on the Annapolis Basin, centred on the habitation at Port Royal.[5] By 1629, Scotland renewed the settlement, this time centred around Charles Fort, which is the site of the modern town.[6] The settlement of Port Royal passed several times between France, Scotland, England and Great Britain until it was finally ceded to Great Britain in 1713.[7] Due to its location on the boundary between the colonial powers of France and Great Britain, it encountered a grand total of thirteen assaults, surpassing all other locations in North America.[8]: viii 

In 1994, the historic heart of Annapolis Royal, having been the site of critical moments in North America's development, was officially named a National Historic Site of Canada.[9] The historic district is one of numerous National Historic Sites and two National Trust for Canada properties in and around Annapolis Royal.[10][11] The town resides within the working landscape of the UNESCO designated, Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.[12]

Formerly centred around military affairs and shipping, the town's primary economic focus has shifted to tourism.[2]

  1. ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Nova Scotia)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Annapolis Royal | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  3. ^ Parks Canada Agency, Government of Canada (2022-11-22). "History". parks.canada.ca. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  4. ^ "History of Acadia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  5. ^ Parks Canada Agency, Government of Canada (2023-10-10). "Port-Royal National Historic Site". parks.canada.ca. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  6. ^ Parks Canada Agency, Government of Canada (2022-11-24). "Charles Fort National Historic Site". parks.canada.ca. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  7. ^ "Treaty of Utrecht | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  8. ^ Dunn, Brenda (2004). A History of Port-Royal-Annapolis Royal, 1605-1800. Nimbus. ISBN 978-1-55109-740-4.
  9. ^ Annapolis Royal Historic District. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  10. ^ Parks Canada Agency, Government of Canada (2023-06-16). "Parks Canada in Nova Scotia". parks.canada.ca. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  11. ^ "Passport Places - Canada". National Trust for Canada. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  12. ^ "Southwest Nova Biosphere General Information Poster" (PDF). SouthWest Nova Biosphere Reserve. 2023-12-01.