| Cape Breton Island ((in)Cape Breton Island (gd)Ceap Breatainn) | |
 | |
| The coast of the island in summer | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Canada |
|---|---|
| Region | New Scotland |
| Area | 6 352 km² |
| Population | 135 974 hab. (2011) |
| Density | 21,41 inhab./km² |
| Telephone prefix | 1 |
| Spindle | UTC − 04: 00 |
| Location | |
 46 ° 10 ′ 0 ″ N 60 ° 45 ′ 0 ″ W | |
| Official site | |
| Touristic site | |
THE'Cape Breton Island is an island ofAtlantic Ocean on the coast ofNorth America off the New Scotland to Canada. She was ranked second in the world for theecotourism by a National Geographic study carried out in 2002 and 2003.
Understand
Cape Breton Island is part of the New Scotland. In fact, it is located northeast of the mainland of this province from which it is separated by the Strait of Canso. This is the northernmost part of Nova Scotia. Cape Breton is known for its culture. Indeed, its inhabitants have an accent English-speaker different from the rest of the Canada and violin music (fiddle) original scottish is still present and popular. In addition, it is still home to Acadian culture descending from the days when the island was a colony. french. The island is also known thanks to the Fortress of Louisbourg, a fortified port French dating from the eighteenthe century.
The island with an area of 6 352 km2 is composed mainly of rocky coasts, pastures, valleys, mountains, plateaus and forests. The Cabot trail, renowned as one of the most beautiful walks in North America, is an ideal way to discover Cape Breton.
Mainland Nova Scotians and Cape Breton Islanders feel different. This is easily understood by looking at the different culture and history of the two places. Moreover, the island and Nova Scotia were separate colonies from 1713 to 1763 and from 1784 to 1820. At the time of the French colony from 1713 to 1763, it was known as Île Royale. . Moreover, the merger of the colonies in 1820 was carried out against the will of the inhabitants of the island. Today, Mi'kmaq, Acadian, Scottish and English cultures coexist in Cape Breton. It is the only place in North America where the Scottish Gaelic is still spoken.
Story
The island was probably visited by Jean Cabot in 1497. The first settlers Europeans were the Portuguese who settled there for fishing. The Mi'kmaq Indians already lived on the island and history has it that they collaborated with the Portuguese in whaling. Around 1600, it was the turn of the French to settle on the island for fishing. They settled in the fishing village of Niganiche (today Ingonish), founded by the Portuguese, which became the second most populous place on the island, after the fortress of Louisourg, in the 1740s. British set the village on fire in 1745 during the first capture of Louisbourg. In 1755, began the deportation of the Acadians, that is to say the French colonists, many of whom took refuge in Cheticamp where merchants were installed Jersey. The French Revolution in the 1790s brought more French immigrants to Chéticamp. In the 1800s, settlers Scottish and Irish settled in the highlands. They later moved to the region of Pleasant Bay. Loyalists also joined the Scots. Immigrants Dutch also came to settle in Ingonish where already lived English and the Irish. In the 1860s, English fishermen from Newfoundland came to settle on the island.
Cities
- 1 Baddeck – An ideal destination for summer vacations and a good place to start and end the Cabot trail.
- 2 Cheticamp – Culture center Acadian on the island, located on the Cabot trail.
- 3 Eskasoni – The largest Mi'kmaq community in New Scotland.
- 4 Ice Bay – The second largest urban area of the island, located on the east coast.
- 5 Ingonish – Located on the Cabot trail and adjacent to Cape Breton Highlands National Park
- 6 Louisbourg – Old colonial town french, known for its reconstructed fortress.
- 7 North Sydney – The end of the Trans-Canada Highway with a ferry connection to Newfoundland.
- 8 Sydney – The largest city on the island.
Other destinations
To speak
THE'English is largely dominant. However, French and Scottish Gaelic are also commonly used. Several Native Americans on the island still use their traditional language, Mi'kmaq, but they are also fluent in English.
To go
By car
The most common way to get to Cape Breton Island is by car. You have to borrow the Trans-Canada Highway, i.e. Highway 104, and the Canso Bridge from the mainland of the New Scotland. Cape Breton is located approximately 12 h 30 route from Boston, 13 h 30 from Montreal and 16 h from new York.
By bus
- Maritime Bus – Daily connection between Truro and Sydney with connections to the New Brunswick and the rest of the New Scotland.
By plane
- 1 Sydney Airport-J.A. Douglas mccurdy (IATA : YQY, ICAO: CYQY, J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport) (10 km east of Sydney) – Regular flights to Halifax and Toronto. Canada Border Services Agency entry point.
On a boat
- Marine Atlantic ,
1 800 341-7981 (free number) – Ferry (ferry) Between Sydney in Cape Breton and the island of Newfoundland. There is a ferry connecting Port aux Basques on the southwest coast of Newfoundland every day and year round and a ferry connecting Argentia on the Avalon Peninsula which takes more time, approximately 14 h, and is in operation only during the summer season three times a week.
Circulate
By car
The best way to get around Cape Breton is by car. The main road is the Trans-Canada Highway, that is to say the highway 105, which connects Sydney on the east coast at the Canso Bridge which joins the mainland of the New Scotland West. It is possible to hire a car in Sydney.
By bike
A more adventurous alternative is to cycle around the island. The roads are often narrow and the wind is strong, so experience is recommended.
- Sea Spray Outdoors Adventures – Bike rental and planning the bike trip.
Walk
the Cape Breton Highlands National Park includes several hiking trails. Additionally, Sea Spray Outdoors Adventures mentioned in the By Bike section above offers guided hikes to little-known secluded spots north of the national park.
On a boat
Between the islands there are small ferries cable. Usually they make the crossing every few minutes at the cost of 5 $.
Itineraries
- By car or motorcycle
- Cabot Trail – Picturesque circuit around the island and in the heights, considered one of the best walks in North America, loop of about 305 km.
- Ceilidh track – Covers the west of the island where culture scottish is alive.
- Fleur-de-Lis track – Covers the south of the island where culture french is alive.
- Bras d'Or Lake Scenic Drive – Follows the shore of Bras d'Or Lake.
To buy
Many small communities have only one general store that sells only food and a few sundries. The food supply in these small general stores is limited. They also serve as a post office.
- Wreck Cove General Store 42470 Cabot Trail, 1 902 929-2900 – An interesting general store located on the Cabot trail Between Baddeck and Ingonish selling everything a traveler needs, gasoline, climate appropriate clothing, food. In fact, their lobster sandwich is famous and can be bought during the summer. In winter, it is accessible by snowmobile.
Eat
Seafood, especially lobster, is Cape Breton's culinary specialty. The oysters from Aspy Bay are also delicious. If you plan to buy food in grocery stores, do so in larger centers such as Cheticamp Where Baddeckbecause the small stores in the smallest communities do not have a large supply of food.
Have a drink / Go out
Housing
Several lodges and inns dot the island.
