Port Hawkesbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Port Hawkesbury
Gaelic: Baile a' Chlamhain / An Gut
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Town
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| Nickname(s):
Cape Breton's Front Porch
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 Port Hawkesbury
Location in Nova Scotia
Port Hawkesbury
Location in Canada
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| Country | Canada | |
| Province | Nova Scotia | |
| Municipality | Inverness County | |
| Founded | 1789 | |
| Incorporated | January 22, 1889 | |
| Area
(2016)
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| • Total | 8.10 km2 (3.13 sq mi) | |
| Highest elevation | 54 m (177 ft) | |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) | |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 3,214 | |
| • Density | 396.6/km2 (1,027/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (ADT) | |
| Postal code |
B9A
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| Area code(s) | 902 | |
| Telephone Exchange | 625 | |
| Median Earnings* | $48,141 | |
| NTS Map | 11F11 Port Hawkesbury | |
| GNBC Code | CBELL | |
| Website | townofporthawkesbury.ca | |
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Port Hawkesbury is a town located on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. Its name in Scottish Gaelic is Baile a' Chlamhain. Even though it's in Inverness County, it's a separate municipality.
The town's slogan is "Opportunities Await." This means it's a place where new chances and possibilities can be found.
Contents
Discovering Port Hawkesbury's Past
Port Hawkesbury has a long and interesting history. The area was first free of ice about 11,000 years ago. After that, some of the first people to live here were Paleo-Indians.
The Mi'kmaq People
Thousands of years ago, this land became part of the territory of the Mi'kmaq Nation. Their land, called Mi'kma'ki, included what is now Nova Scotia, parts of Maine, Newfoundland, and the Gaspé Peninsula. Port Hawkesbury is in the Unama'ki district, which is a traditional Mi'kmaq area.
Early European Settlers
In 1605, French settlers created the first lasting European town in Canada at Port Royal. This area became known as Acadia. The French also tried to settle on Cape Breton Island in 1629 and 1630. These early settlements were not permanent. European settlers did not return to the island until 1713. By 1763, most of Acadia, including Cape Breton Island, was under British control.
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Founding the Town
The town was founded in 1789 and was first called Ship Harbour. It was later renamed Port Hawkesbury to honor Admiral Sir Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke. He was an important naval commander. The town officially became a municipality in 1889.
In the 1800s, Port Hawkesbury was known for building ships. These ships were used to export timber, which is wood from trees. They also built fishing boats for local fishing.
Today, Port Hawkesbury serves as an important center for western Cape Breton Island. Many people who live here work in big industries nearby. One major industry is a pulp and paper plant in Point Tupper.
Port Hawkesbury's Economy
Port Hawkesbury has a strong economy, especially because of its busy port.
A Busy Port
The Port of Port Hawkesbury is one of the busiest ports in Canada. In 2006, it was the second largest port in the country. It handled huge amounts of crushed rock, gravel, and oil. By 2011, it was the 7th largest port in Canada.
Tugs, which are small powerful boats, help guide ships in and out of the port. Historically, American coastal steamships also used to stop here.
The Port Hawkesbury Mill
The Port Hawkesbury Mill is a large paper factory located in nearby Point Tupper. It started operating in 1962. Most of the paper made here is sent to the United States. The mill can produce nearly 400,000 tons of special paper each year. This makes up a big part of the market for that type of paper.
The mill had to close for a year between 2011 and 2012. This happened after the 2008 financial crisis. However, by 2018, the mill was doing well again. It reported that it had a full year of orders.
Geography and Climate
Port Hawkesbury is a town with a specific size and location.
Town Size and Population
The town covers an area of 8.1 square kilometers (about 3.1 square miles). In 2016, there were about 396.6 people living in each square kilometer. This is much higher than the average for Nova Scotia. The province has a much larger land area.
Weather in Port Hawkesbury
Port Hawkesbury has a Humid continental climate. This means it has four distinct seasons. Because it is close to the ocean, the seasons tend to arrive a bit later than in places further inland.
- Precipitation: The town gets a lot of rain and snow. Fall and winter are the wettest times of the year. Summer is usually the driest.
- Winters: Winters are cold and often snowy. There are frequent snowstorms.
- Summers: Summer is the nicest time of year. It has less rain and warm temperatures.
The hottest temperature ever recorded in the area was 35.0 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). This happened on July 7, 1912, and July 19, 1975. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -28.5 degrees Celsius (-19.3 degrees Fahrenheit). This was on February 7, 1993.
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Port Hawkesbury has changed over the years.
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In the 2021 Census, Port Hawkesbury had a population of 3,210 people. This was a very small change from its 2016 population of 3,214. The town has a population density of about 396.3 people per square kilometer.
Local Media
Port Hawkesbury has its own local media outlets. These help keep the community informed.
- 101.5 (FM) - The Hawk: A local radio station.
- SAERC FM - 93.9: Another local radio station.
- SAERC TV: A local television channel.
- The Reporter: The community's newspaper.
Famous People from Port Hawkesbury
Several notable individuals have come from Port Hawkesbury.
- Lynn Coady: A well-known author.
- Mark Day: An actor.
- Aaron Johnson: A professional hockey player.
- Billy Joe MacLean: A politician.
