Annapolis Royal
The Annapolis Valley
The original French settlement at present-day Port Royal was settled in 1605
Creation of Annapolis Royal
In 1710, Port Royal was captured a final time from the French at
the Siege of Port Royal during Queen Anne's War, marking the
British conquest of mainland Nova Scotia.[1] The British
renamed the town Annapolis Royal and Fort Anne after Queen
Anne (1665–1714), the reigning monarch. The Annapolis Basin,
Annapolis River, Annapolis County, and the Annapolis Valley all
take their name from the town.
Annapolis Royal is situated in a good but shallow harbor at the
western end of the fertile Annapolis Valley, nestled between the
North and South mountains which define the valley. The town is
on south bank of the Annapolis River facing the heavily tidal
Annapolis Basin. The riverside forms the waterfront for this
historic town. Directly opposite Annapolis Royal on the northern
bank of the river is the community of Granville Ferry. Allains
Creek joins the Annapolis River at the town, defining the
western side of the community.
The Bay of Fundy is just over the North Mountain, 10 kilometers
north of the town.
The Annpolis Valley, is located in the western part of the Nova
Scotia peninsula, formed by a trough between two parallel
mountain ranges along the shore of the Bay of Fundy. Statistics
Canada defines the Annapolis Valley as an economic region,
composed of Annapolis County, Kings County, and Hants County.
The valley measures approximately 126 kilometres (78 mi) in
length from Digby and the Annapolis Basin in the west to
Wolfville and the Minas Basin in the east, spanning the counties
of Digby, Annapolis and Kings.
The shelter provided by these two mountainous ridges has
produced a "micro climate" which provides relatively mild
temperatures for the region and, coupled with the fertile glacial
sedimentary soils on the valley floor, the region is conducive to
growing vegetable and fruit crops. Particularly famous for its
apple crop, the valley hosts in excess of 1,000 farms of various
types, the majority being relatively small family-owned
operations.
Within the valley itself are two "major" rivers, the Annapolis
River which flows west from the Caribou Bog in the central part
of the valley into the Annapolis Basin, and the Cornwallis River
which flows east from Caribou Bog into the Minas Basin. The
North Mountain ridge forms the north side of the Annapolis
Valley. Also flowing east, in two smaller valleys north of the
Cornwallis River, are the Canard River and the Habitant River,
both of which also flow into the Minas Basin
About The Town of Annapolis Royal,
The Town of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia is the perfect place to
plan your next vacation, holiday or family get-together! A small
sea-side Town steeped in history and tradition, Annapolis Royal
and its residents know how to treat a visitor. After all, we have
been doing it for more then 400 years!
Other small towns have nothing on Nova Scotia's Annapolis Royal.
When we say everything is within walking distance, we mean it!
The Town itself offers a host of activities and events that can keep
you busy for the duration of your stay, all in a 2 km radius. Add
together all the other attractions and activites in the area (within
30 minutes) and you could spend your entire summer in the area,
without repeating the same activity.
Idyllically situated between mountain and sea, Annapolis Royal
offers a stunning waterfront shopping area, an enviable selection of
restaurants and world class accommodations plus a streetscape
that has been designated a National Historic District and icon Nova
Scotia tourism. Important heritage sites, an exciting arts
community and theatre, together with wonderful recreational
opportunities all combine to make Annapolis Royal the ideal
holiday destination!
The Valley has been traditionally built on a diversified agricultural
industry, with a wide range of output ranging from livestock to
fruit trees and berries. The last quarter century has also seen the
development of a wine industry, with such notable wineries as
Gaspereau Vineyards winning national and international awards
for their produce.
Today, the Valley is still largely dominated by agriculture but also
has a growing diversity in its economies, partly aided by the
importance of post-secondary education centres provided by
Acadia University in Wolfville.
Tourism is also an important industry and the Annapolis Valley is
known for its scenic farmland, although today some is threatened
with suburban development in the eastern end, and a great deal
has been abandoned. The Annapolis Valley additionally has
become home to the majority of Nova Scotia wineries, located in
either the Gaspereau Valley or in the Canning, Grand Pré, or Bear
River areas.
The Valley is home to the annual Apple Blossom Festival, held in
late spring. In July is the annual Steer Bar-B-Que in Kingston, and
Heart of the Valley Festival in Middleton. August sees Mud Creek
Days in Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley Exhibition in
Lawrencetown. Bridgetown's Cider Festival comes in mid-
September. The Canadian Deep Roots Music Festival is held each
year at the end of September in Wolfville, a community-based
festival, supported by both The Town of Wolfville and Acadia
University. In the fall the Pumpkin People in Kentville entice the
imagination.
Foodies will revel in the bounty of culinary experiences the Annapolis Valley has to offer. As Canada’s
up-and-coming wine destination,