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Halifax Peninsula

Old Halifax
From top right, pictures are Town Clock, Hydrostone Shops, HUGA Trail, Saunders Park, and the Halifax Central Library.
From top right, pictures are Town Clock, Hydrostone Shops, HUGA Trail, Saunders Park, and the Halifax Central Library.
Location of Halifax Peninsula in municipal Halifax.
Location of Halifax Peninsula in municipal Halifax.
Halifax Peninsula is located in Nova Scotia
Halifax Peninsula
Halifax Peninsula
Location in Nova Scotia
Country  Canada
Province  Nova Scotia
Municipality Halifax
Community Halifax
Municipal Districts District 7 (Halifax South Downtown), District 8 (Halifax Peninsula North), District 9 (Halifax West Armdale)
Founded 1749
Neighborhoods Downtown, Hydrostone, North End, Quinpool, South End, Spring Garden, West End
Government
 • Type Municipal Council
Area
 • Total 18.949 km2 (7.316 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total 72,169
 • Density 3,808/km2 (9,860/sq mi)
 • Change 2016-2021
Increase14.1
Time zone UTC−4 (AST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−3 (ADT)
Postal code span
B3H, B3J, B3K, B3L
Area code(s) 782, 902
Part of a series about Places in Nova Scotia

The Halifax Peninsula is a peninsula within the urban area of the Municipality of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

History

Main article: History of the Halifax Regional Municipality

The town of Halifax was founded by the British government under the direction of the Board of Trade and Plantations under the command of Governor Edward Cornwallis in 1749. The founding of the town sparked Father Le Loutre's War. The original settlement was clustered in the southeastern part of the peninsula along The Narrows, between a series of forts (Fort Needham to the north, Fort George (Citadel Hill) in the middle, and Fort Massey to the south) and the harbour. With time, the settlement expanded beyond its walls and gradually encroached over the entire peninsula, creating residential neighbourhoods defined by the peninsula's geography.

From 1749 until 1841, Halifax was a town. After a protracted struggle between residents and the Executive Council, the town was incorporated into a city in 1841. From 1841 until 1969, the entire Peninsula was home to the former City of Halifax.

In 1789, the University of King's College was founded. Roughly thirteen years later, Saint Mary's University was founded in 1802. Subsequently, Dalhousie University was founded 1818. NSCAD University was founded in 1867.

In 1867, the Halifax Public Gardens and Victoria Park, Halifax were created, with many Victorian Era monuments. Builders such as George Lang created many landmark buildings.

During 1916–1919 a mega construction project was undertaken by Canadian Government Railways (later Canadian National Railway) along the peninsula's Northwest Arm shoreline which saw a 4 km (2.5 mi) long rock cut blasted up to 30 m (98 ft) deep for a railway line running from Fairview Cove to serve the new Halifax Ocean Terminals which were built at the southeastern end; the rock from blasting work in the cut being used as infill for a portion of The Narrows.

Rudyard Kipling paid homage to Halifax in his poem The Song of Cities:

Into the mist my guardian prows put forth,
Behind the mist my virgin ramparts lie,
The Warden of the Honour of the North,
Sleepless and veiled am I!

In 1969, adjacent rural areas within the former County of Halifax (that at this time were beginning to urbanize) west of the isthmus were annexed into the city. The city annexed Armdale, Clayton Park, Fairview, Rockingham and Spryfield.

On 1 April 1996, Halifax County was dissolved and all of its places (cities, suburbs, towns, and villages) were turned into communities of a single-tier municipality named Halifax Regional Municipality. Subsequently, the Halifax Peninsula was included in the new community of Halifax, within the new Municipality of Halifax.

Today, the Peninsula is the bustling region of the community of Halifax.

Geography

Halifax from the air
Halifax Harbour from the air looking South including the Halifax Peninsula at upper right

Provincial electoral districts

  • Halifax Chebucto
  • Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
  • Halifax Needham

Colloquial neighbourhoods

  • Convoy Place
  • Downtown
  • Hydrostone
  • Mulgrave Park
  • North End
  • Quinpool
  • South End
  • Spring Garden
  • West End
  • Westmount

Historic neighbourhoods

Stratigraphy

The bedrock of this peninsula is Precambrian slate. Glaciers during the Pleistocene era converted the rock surface to an olive-colored loamy till. Glaciation also removed reddish till from sedimentary rock to the north and redeposited it as a drumlin to form Citadel Hill. The stony loam to sandy loam soils are mapped as Bridgewater series on olive till and Wolfville series on the Citadel Hill drumlin.

Topography

According to the 2021 Census, the Halifax Peninsula covers approximately 1,894.9 hectares (18.949 km2).

Peninsular Halifax extends from the western shore of Halifax Harbour, and is connected to the much larger Chebucto Peninsula by an isthmus measuring 2.6 km (1.6 mi), defined by Fairview Cove and the Bedford Basin to the north and the Northwest Arm to the southwest. Down the length of this isthmus is Joseph Howe Drive, generally considered to be the boundary between mainland Halifax and peninsular Halifax. The Halifax Peninsula creates The Narrows, a constriction of Halifax Harbour to its east.

The peninsula measures approximately 3.3 km (2.1 mi) at its widest and approximately 7.5 km (4.7 mi) at its longest, the peninsula's topography is relatively flat near the isthmus where Chebucto Field, an aerodrome that preceded Halifax Stanfield International Airport was located. The northern part of the peninsula rises to approximately 60 m (200 ft) above sea level as a glacial drumlin at Fort Needham, with the central area of the peninsula being a plateau roughly 40–50 m (130–160 ft). in elevation. Another drumlin approximately 60 m (200 ft) above sea level is located at Citadel Hill and immediately offshore to the east at Georges Island.

Parks and Recreation

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (former Halifax Federal Building) by George Lang (builder)
Oxford Theatre
Oxford Theatre, on Quinpool Road in the peninsula's West End

Arenas

  • Scotiabank Centre

Art Galleries

  • Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

Community Centres

  • Children's Aid Society of Halifax
  • Citadel Community Centre
  • Community YMCA
  • George Dixon Centre
  • Halifax and Region Military Family Resource Centre
  • Mi'kmaq Child Development Centre
  • Mi'kmaq Native Friendship Centre
  • Needham Pool and Recreation Centre
  • Olympic Hall Community Centre
  • Salvation Army Open Arms Centre

Libraries

  • Anchor Archive Zine Library
  • Halifax Central Library
  • Halifax North Memorial Public Library
  • Left-Leaning Library
  • Library and Archives Canada Regional Service Centre
  • Nova Scotia Barristers Library
  • Vernon Street Community Library

Museums

  • Africville Museum
  • Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
  • Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
  • Naval Museum of Halifax
  • Thomas McCulloch Museum
  • Museum of Natural History
  • Sea Turtle Centre

Parks

  • Conrose Park
  • Flinn Park
  • Horseshoe Island Park
  • Hydrostone Park
  • Marlborough Woods Park
  • Nick Meagher Community Park
  • Fort Needham Memorial Park
  • Larry O'Connell Park
  • Peace and Friendship Park
  • Point Pleasant Park
  • Merv Sullivan Park
  • Raymond Taavel Park
  • Victoria Park
  • Murray Warrington Park

Pools

  • Centennial Pool
  • Dalplex
  • John W. Lindsay YMCA
  • Needham Pool and Recreation Centre
  • The Waegwoltic Club

Trails

  • Africville Trails
  • Point Pleasant Park

Demographics

The Peninsula's population grew to a high of 92,511 in 1961--and decreased thereafter. However, in recent years, the population has increased. In 2016, the population was 63,210 people. By 2021, the population increased to 72,169 people--an increase of 14.1% from 2016.

Census Tract Land area (km2) Population (2021) Population (2016) Population Density (people per km2) (2021) Population Change (%)
2050003.00 2.365 2,885 2,955 1,219 Decrease2.4
2050004.01 0.481 4,045 3,466 8,402 Increase16.7
2050004.02 0.482 5,466 4,771 11,340 Increase14.6
2050005.00 0.769 1,813 1,808 2,358 Increase0.3
2050006.00 1.054 3,553 3,129 3,371 Increase13.6
2050007.00 1.16 1,947 1,859 1,677 Increase4.7
2050008.00 0.504 5,203 2,778 10,325 Increase87.3
2050009.00 0.635 2,875 2,357 4,528 Increase22
2050010.00 0.834 6,019 5,036 7,213 Increase19.5
2050011.00 0.808 6,013 5,631 7,446 Increase6.8
2050012.00 0.518 2,901 2,482 5,598 Increase16.9
2050013.00 0.805 2,630 2,561 3,267 Increase2.7
2050018.00 1.397 3,758 3,544 2,690 Increase6
2050019.00 0.891 5,126 5,062 5,755 Increase1.3
2050020.00 0.999 3,602 2,562 3,607 Increase40.6
2050021.00 0.877 3,544 3,314 4,041 Increase6.9
2050022.00 2.833 5,581 5,301 1,969 Increase5.3
2050023.00 1.537 5,208 4,594 3,388 Increase13.4
Peninsula 18.949 72,169 63,210 3,808 Increase14.1

Economy

Being a very populated area, the peninsula hosts many businesses, government services, hospitals, post-secondary institutions, and more.

Transportation

Rail

The Halifax Station is operated by Via Rail, and is the easternmost station for the Ocean. The Ocean travels from Halifax to Montreal once per week.

Road

There are many kilometres of avenues, lanes, roads, and streets that criss-cross throughout the Peninsula. The main thoroughfare is Robie Street. Robie Street runs approximately 4 km (2.5 mi), then continues on as Massachusetts Avenue.

Public Transit

Source:

Halifax Transit provides many transit routes that traverse the peninsula. There are two terminals located within the area; the Scotia Square Terminal in the South End; and the Mumford Terminal in the West End.

Bus

Handicapped/disabled access Wheelchair – Uses Accessible Low Floor (ALF) buses only.
 Clock simple.svg Rush Hour Service Only
Bicycle facilities Designated Bike Route
MetroLink-Halifax.svg MetroLink Service
MetroExpress-Halifax.svg MetroX Service

Route number Route name Features Inner terminal Outer terminal Notes
1 Spring Garden Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford Bridge
2 Fairview Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Water Street Lacewood
3 Crosstown Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford Bridge; Highfield; Lacewood
4 Universities Dalhousie University, Saint Mary's University Lacewood
5 Portland Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Bridge; Penhorn; Portland Hills
7 (7ᴀ/7ʙ) Peninsula Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square 7ᴀ runs in a clockwise direction, and 7ʙ runs in a counter-clockwise direction.
8 Sackville Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Bayers Road Centre; Cobequid; Sackville
9 (9ᴀ/9ʙ) Greystone (9ᴀ); Herring Cove (9ʙ) Scotia Square Mumford
10 Dalhousie Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Bridge; M District
21 Timberlea Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Lacewood
22 Armdale Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford
24 Leiblin Park Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford
25 Governors Brook Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford
26 Springvale Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford
28 Bayers Lake Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford Bayers Road; Lacewood
29 Barrington Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square; Water Street Bayers Road; Mumford
50 Dockyard-Shipyard Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Bridge
84 Glendale Scotia Square Cobequid; Sackville
90 Larry Uteck Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Water Street
91 Hemlock Ravine Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford Bayers Road Centre
93 Bedford Highway Scotia Square Cobequid
123 Timberlea Express Scotia Square
127 Cowie Hill Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square
135 Flamingo Express Scotia Square Lacewood
136 Farnham Gate Express Scotia Square Lacewood
137 Clayton Park Express Scotia Square Lacewood
138 Parkland Express Scotia Square Lacewood
158 Woodlawn Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Alderney; Bridge; Penhorn; Portland Hills
159 Colby Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Alderney; Bridge; Penhorn; Portland Hills
161 North Preston Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Alderney; Bridge; Penhorn; Portland Hills
165 Caldwell Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Alderney; Bridge; Penhorn; Portland Hills
168 (168ᴀ/168ʙ) Cherry Brook Express: Auburn (168ᴀ); Cherry Brook (168ʙ) Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Alderney; Bridge; Penhorn; Portland Hills 168ᴀ starts/ends on Hillsboro Drive near Barbara Drive.
183 Springfield Express Scotia Square
185 Millwood Express Scotia Square
186 Beaver Bank Express Scotia Square
194 West Bedford Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square
196 Basinview Express Scotia Square
330 Tantallon Regional Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities
370 Porters Lake Regional Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Bridge
415 Purcells Cove Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford

Ferry

There is a ferry service that runs from Downtown Halifax. It is located at the Halifax Ferry Terminal in Downtown. It connects to either the Alderney Terminal in Downtown Dartmouth, or the Woodside Terminal in Woodside.

Route number Route name Features Inner terminal Outer terminal Notes
Alderney Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Halifax Alderney The Alderney travels from the Halifax terminal in Downtown Halifax to the Alderney terminal in Downtown Dartmouth, and conversely.
Woodside Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Halifax Woodside The Woodside travels from the Halifax terminal in Downtown Halifax to the Woodside terminal in Woodside, and conversely.

Education

There are many colleges, private-and-public schools, and universities on the peninsula.

Colleges

  • Academy of Learning Career College
  • Apex Language and Career College
  • Eastern College - Halifax Campus
  • Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education
  • Nova Scotia Community College Institute of Technology Campus

Inclusive Education

The Halifax School for the Blind is administered by the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority (APSEA).

  • Halifax School for the Blind

Private Schools

  • Armbrae Academy
  • Halifax Grammar School
  • Halifax Independent School
  • Maritime Muslim Academy
  • Sacred Heart School of Halifax
  • St. Thomas Acquinas Elementary School
  • Shambhala School

Public Schools

All public schools on the peninsula are administered by the Halifax Regional Centre for Education.

  • Citadel High School
  • École St. Catherine's Elementary School
  • Gorsebrook Junior High School
  • Halifax Central Junior High School
  • Highland Park Junior High School
  • Inglis Street Elementary School
  • Joseph Howe Elementary School
  • LeMarchant-St. Thomas Elementary School
  • St. Mary's Elementary School
  • Sir Charles Tupper Elementary School

Universities

  • Dalhousie University
  • NSCAD University
  • University of King's College
  • Université Sainte-Anne Campus de Halifax
  • Saint Mary's University
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