Four sm
all
provinces of Eastern Canada are known collectively as the Atlantic Provinces.
Lumbering, mining, and fishing dominate the economy. When Italian
John Cabot first explored the region, he found fish so abundant
that they slowed his ship. Today over fishing and the exploitation
of the natural resources of the region have left it the poorest
part of Canada.
The four Atlantic Provinces are Newfoundland,
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,
and Prince Edward Island. Prince
Edward Island (or PEI) is the smallest and least populated province,
but it is where Canadian leaders first met in 1864 to form the dominion.
Newfoundland
is Canada’s easternmost province. It includes Newfoundland
Island and the territory of Labrador.
New Brunswick retains a strong French culture and heritage, but
unlike Quebec, has no secessionist movement. Scottish people founded
the province of Nova Scotia over two centuries ago. It's name means
"New Scotland."
What would happen to the Atlantic Provinces,
should Quebec secede from Canada, is unclear at this time. Each
of the provinces has a French minority, but they are unlikely to
want to join Quebec. Their great distance from the capital and population
centers is already a problem. It would be made worse if they were
cut off by another nation. The Atlantic Provinces are much smaller
and poorer than Quebec, so they would not likely form an independent
nation. Another option, to join the United States would likely have
to be considered by both the provinces and the United States.
The
Atlantic Provinces
