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Nova Scotia’s Geographic Benefits

Global access makes it easy for you to operate internationally. Our strategic location on Canada's East Coast provides easy, fast, and reliable access to world markets. And because we share the same workday with the United States and Europe, this can translate into improved productivity for companies in Nova Scotia.

Home Sweet Home

Nova Scotia, Canada 

Nova Scotia’s reliable infrastructure and strategic location provide businesses with significant advantages.

Situated in the Atlantic Time Zone, the province enables seamless workday crossover, being four hours behind London and four hours ahead of Los Angeles. Nova Scotia boasts the closest mainland airports and container ports to Europe, reducing travel and shipping times. Plus, with 24/7 Canada Customs, a US pre-clearance facility, and expedited travel programs like NEXUS, businesses enjoy efficient global connectivity and streamlined operations.

 
San Francisco
 
Houston
 
Halifax
 
New York City
 
London
 
Paris

The Nova Scotia Gateway

Our transportation system is an efficient and reliable combination of air, road, rail, and sea infrastructure, to meet supply chain management and logistics needs. This allows businesses to move people and products in and out of North America faster than any other gateway on the East Coast.

By Road 

Nova Scotia offers 1,200 kilometres of National Highway System roadways linked to 22,000 kilometres of secondary roads, ensuring seamless connections to Atlantic Canada, Central Canada, and the US Northeast. These modern, all-weather routes provide businesses with reliable travel and shipping options.

By Sea 

Nova Scotia’s ports provide a strategic advantage for cargo travel, being a day’s sail closer to Europe than any other North American port. Halifax offers Super Post-Panamax cranes, 1.5 million TEU capacity, and efficient intermodal links, delivering cargo to central Canada and the U.S. Midwest up to five days faster.

Port of Halifax

By Air 

Halifax Stanfield, Atlantic Canada’s leading full-service airport, offers 24/7 Canada Customs, U.S. pre-clearance, and global market access. Serving destinations across Canada, the U.S., Europe, and beyond, it contributes $3.8 billion annually to Nova Scotia’s economy.

Halifax Stanfield International Airport

By Rail 

Nova Scotia’s rail network ensures seamless cargo movement, with CN providing on-dock rail at Halifax’s container terminals and efficient links to central Canada and the U.S. Midwest. The Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway connects key regions, transporting diverse commodities reliably.

CN Halifax Intermodal Terminal

Montreal

Canada

1 hr, 45 mins
11 hrs, 50 mins
2 days
1 day

Toronto

Canada

2 hrs, 20 mins
17 hrs, 30mins
2 days

Boston

USA

1 hr, 30 mins
10 hrs, 30 mins
2 days
2 days

New York

USA

2 hrs, 5 mins
13 hrs, 40 mins
3 days
3 days

Dublin

Ireland

5 hrs, 25 mins
8 days

London

United Kingdom

6 hrs
9 days

Rotterdam

Netherlands

6 hrs, 45 mins
12 days

Colón

Panama Canal

9 hrs, 20 mins
4 days, 3 hrs, 15 mins
7 days
9 days

Our Natural Advantages

Nova Scotia’s natural advantages shape its economy and landscapes. Our 13,000-kilometre coastline supports thriving fisheries and maritime industries. The Bay of Fundy’s extreme tides offer rich potential for tidal energy, while our fertile soil and a moderate climate promote agriculture. These resources create significant opportunities for sustainable development in the province.

 

The world’s highest tides 

The Bay of Fundy tide can be as high as 16 metres. In one half-day tidal cycle, about 100 billion tonnes of water flow in and out of the Bay.

Next High Tide:

: :

8.7m (28.5') at Margaretsville, Nova Scotia
Canada's SuperCluster

Our Clean Technology Sector

Ocean Technology Sector

Situated between the 47th and 48th parallel, Nova Scotia shares the same latitude as the South of France and Northern Italy

Nova Scotia’s diverse agricultural landscape includes vineyards, orchards, farms, and fields producing fruits like apples, blueberries, and cranberries. The province’s temperate maritime climate, with mild winters and moderate summers, supports a wide range of crops, from grains and vegetables to specialty items like lavender and herbs.

Dalhousie Agricultural Campus

Our Agri-Food Sector