The Atlantic Region

The area is located in all of the 4 maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) as well as, the majority of the area known as the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec, often referred to as the “Thumb of Quebec.”

This area was a mountain range that formed millions and millions of years ago. Erosion and the movement of glacial ice wore these mountains down, it created an area known as the continental shelf. Off the coast of Newfoundland, shallow parts of the continental shelf are called the Grand Banks. The Grand Banks is a famous fishing ground. Fishing is one of the natural resources of the Atlantic Region.

The Atlantic Region Because the Atlantic region is surrounded by the ocean the climate is mild. The summers are not too hot and the winters are not too cold. However, this area receives lots of precipitation from rain and snow.

 Ice storms, snowstorms, fog and gales are frequent.

 The area is full of rocks, many trees, rich soil, many lakes and coastal inlets. All of these wonderful resources add to the economy and development of the Atlantic Region.

 The trees of this region are important to tourism/recreation industry (hiking, camping). They are also used to produce pulp and paper. Most of the pulp eventually becomes our daily newspapers.

 Ducks, great blue heron and other waterfowl can be found in the marshes and coastal areas. Puffins, razorbills and gulls find a safe home on Bonaventure Island, Quebec, a bird sanctuary.

On land, white-tailed deer, beaver, raccoon, porcupine, mink, coyote, fox, snowshoe hare and muskrat are found.

Grey seals, harbour seals, cod, salmon, lobster, scallops, clams, oysters, haddock, flounder and halibut are all found in this region, but in recent years, the fishing industry has been on the decline.

Canadians have been fishing the Grand Banks since John Cabot’s discovery in 1497, these areas have also been over fished and we now have problems with endangered species. The government is trying to protect the area and prevents other countries from fishing close to Canadian shores. They also set limits as to how many fish can be caught.

 The cod fish were nearly wiped out. Many fishermen had to get another job or else move away when they started to lose fish species.

Oil has been discovered under the ocean floor. The Hibernia oil field has helped boost the sagging economy of Newfoundland and Labrador because many out of work fishermen can go and work on the floating oil derricks found out in the ocean.

Confederation Bridge  The Confederation Bridge is the longest bridge ever built over water that freezes. It connects Prince Edward Island with New Brunswick across the Northumberland Straight. It opened on May 31, 1997.

 The bridge supports are designed to split the sea ice that pounds against them. Sometimes the bridge must be closed during winter storms. Wind speeds and weather conditions, such as visibility during snowstorms, are carefully monitored by a weather station on the bridge.

Every aspect of safety has been considered in the construction of the Confederation Bridge. There are 310 streetlights and 17 cameras monitoring the crossing of vehicles. Every 750 meters there are emergency telephones and fire extinguishers. The surface of the bridge is made of a special material to minimize splash and spray from passing vehicles and 7300 drains take away water from rain and snow.

 The average height of the bridge is 40 metres high except for the middle span where the highest point is 60 metres above the sea. The bridge is slightly curved to keep motorist alert during the long drive.

 Concrete barriers along the bridge prevent drivers from seeing over the sides and being distracted. These barriers also act as a windbreak.

 Com  Allows you to see a live report from the Confederation Bridge