Annapolis Royal
Port-Royal (French) | |
---|---|
Town and County seat | |
Waterfront of Annapolis Royal View from Fort Anne looking south over Annapolis Basin View of Granville Ferry from Annapolis Royal | |
Nickname: Cradle of the Nation | |
Coordinates: 44°44′30″N 65°30′55″W / 44.74167°N 65.51528°W | |
Country | Canada |
Province | Nova Scotia |
Municipality | Annapolis County |
Founded | 1605 | as Port Royal
Incorporated | 1892 |
Named for | Anne, Queen of Great Britain |
Electoral Districts Federal | West Nova |
Provincial | Annapolis |
Government | |
• Mayor | Amery Boyer |
• Governing Body | Annapolis Royal Town Council |
• MLA | David Bowlby (C) |
• MP | Chris 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 |
• Density | 268.3/km2 (695/sq mi) |
Demonym | Annapolitan |
Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (Atlantic Daylight Saving Time) |
Postal code | B0S1A0 |
Area code | 902 |
Telephone Exchange | 526, 532 |
Official name | Annapolis Royal Historic District National Historic Site of Canada |
Designated | 1994 |
Website | annapolisroyal |
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]