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Quizzes > Geography

Nova Scotia trivia: How much do you know?

Quick, free Nova Scotia quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Donald ChicasUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Nova Scotia Quiz testing knowledge of its history, geography, culture on dark blue background.

This Nova Scotia trivia quiz helps you test your knowledge of the province's history, coastlines, and culture. Answer quick questions and see how you score, then explore more with Canadian trivia or dive into scotland trivia. If you enjoy sports and heritage, try some curling trivia next.

What is the capital city of Nova Scotia?
Truro
Halifax
Sydney
Kentville
Halifax has been the capital of Nova Scotia since 1749 and remains its largest city and economic hub. It is home to the provincial legislature and major port facilities. Halifax played a key role in both colonial and modern Canadian history.
Which nickname is Nova Scotia commonly known by?
The Sunshine Province
The Evergreen Province
The Garden Province
The Bluenose Province
Nova Scotia is often called "The Bluenose Province" after the famous racing schooner Bluenose, which became a provincial symbol. The nickname underscores the province's maritime heritage. You'll see the Bluenose on license plates and tourism materials.
What is the official language of Nova Scotia?
French
English
Mi'kmaq
Scottish Gaelic
English is the official language of Nova Scotia, used in government, education, and daily life. While French and Mi'kmaq communities are historically important, English remains dominant. Gaelic is also celebrated in certain areas but not official.
In what year did Nova Scotia become one of Canada's original provinces at Confederation?
1867
1871
1854
1885
Nova Scotia joined New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec in Confederation on July 1, 1867, forming the Dominion of Canada. It was one of the four founding provinces. The confederation debates were heated in Halifax before approval.
Which body of water lies to the north of mainland Nova Scotia?
Gulf of St. Lawrence
Hudson Bay
Gulf of Mexico
Bay of Biscay
The Gulf of St. Lawrence forms the northern boundary of mainland Nova Scotia, separating it from Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. It is a critical shipping route and rich in marine life. This gulf connects to the Atlantic Ocean.
Which site in Nova Scotia is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site?
Peggy's Cove
Kejimkujik National Park
Cape Forchu Lighthouse
Old Town Lunenburg
Old Town Lunenburg was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 for its well-preserved British colonial grid layout and wooden architecture. It exemplifies a unique shipbuilding and fishing community. Tourists often visit for its historic charm.
What currency is used in Nova Scotia?
British Pound
Euro
US Dollar
Canadian Dollar
Nova Scotia, as a Canadian province, uses the Canadian dollar (CAD) for all transactions. The Bank of Canada issues banknotes and coins. US dollars are sometimes accepted in border areas, but CAD is official.
Who is credited as the first European explorer to reach the region now known as Nova Scotia?
Jacques Cartier
John Cabot
Henry Hudson
Samuel de Champlain
John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) made landfall on the Atlantic coast of North America in 1497 under English commission. While he explored the coastline broadly, he is credited with early mapping of what would include Nova Scotia. Cartier and Champlain came later.
What is the highest natural point in Nova Scotia?
Cape Smokey
White Hill
Sugarloaf Mountain
North Mountain
White Hill, at an elevation of 532 metres (1,745 feet), is the highest peak in Nova Scotia. It is located in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Its remote plateau is known for boreal forest and peat bogs.
Which industry has historically been a cornerstone of Nova Scotia's economy?
Technology
Fishing
Oil refining
Automobile manufacturing
Fishing, particularly Atlantic groundfish, lobsters, and scallops, has anchored Nova Scotia's economy for centuries. Coastal communities developed around this industry, and it remains vital today. Other sectors grew later, but fishing was first.
What catastrophic event struck Halifax on December 6, 1917?
Halifax Explosion
Halifax Tsunami
Halifax Earthquake
Great Halifax Fire
The Halifax Explosion occurred when a munitions ship collided with another vessel in the harbour, causing the largest man-made explosion of its time. Over 2,000 people died and much of the city was destroyed. Recovery shaped modern Halifax.
Which strait separates Cape Breton Island from mainland Nova Scotia?
Northumberland Strait
Cabot Strait
Strait of Canso
Fundy Strait
The Strait of Canso is a narrow waterway that separates Cape Breton Island from the Nova Scotia peninsula. It is spanned by the Canso Causeway. This strait allows shipping access between the Atlantic and inland waterways.
What is the official floral emblem of Nova Scotia?
Trillium
Lady's Slipper
Mayflower
Bluebell
The mayflower (Epigaea repens) was adopted as Nova Scotia's provincial flower in 1901. Its pinkish-white blossoms appear in early spring under forest canopies. It is celebrated annually during Mayflower festivals.
Which municipality is the second-largest by population in Nova Scotia?
Truro Municipality
Dartmouth
Annapolis Valley Regional Municipality
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality, created in 1995, is Nova Scotia's second-largest municipality by population after Halifax. It includes Sydney and surrounding communities. It is a cultural and economic centre on Cape Breton Island.
Which Indigenous people are the original inhabitants of Nova Scotia?
Ojibwe
Mi'kmaq
Innu
Haida
The Mi'kmaq have inhabited Nova Scotia and the surrounding Maritime regions for thousands of years. Their rich culture and language shaped the province's early history. The name Nova Scotia itself comes from Latin meaning "New Scotland," but Mi'kmaq traditions remain strong.
What is the design feature at the center of the Nova Scotia provincial flag?
Green shamrock on blue field
Red cross on yellow field
Black lion on red field
Blue saltire on white field
Nova Scotia's flag features a blue saltire (diagonal cross) on a white background, evoking Scotland's St. Andrew's Cross. It was officially adopted in 1929. The provincial coat of arms sits at the center of the saltire.
Which mineral resource was a major export from Nova Scotia in the 19th century?
Gold
Salt
Coal
Silver
Nova Scotia's rich coal seams in Cape Breton and mainland sites were heavily mined during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Coal powered steamships and railroads, making it a top export. Mining communities sprang up around these resources.
During which conflict did the first Siege of Louisbourg (1745) occur?
American Revolutionary War
Queen Anne's War
Seven Years' War
King George's War
The Siege of Louisbourg in 1745 was part of King George's War (1744 - 1748), the North American theater of the War of the Austrian Succession. New England forces captured the French fortress at Cape Breton Island. It was returned to France in the 1748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.
Which location in Nova Scotia experiences some of the highest tides in the world?
Annapolis Valley
Burntcoat Head
Peggy's Cove
Cape Breton Highlands
Burntcoat Head on the Minas Basin of the Bay of Fundy records some of the world's highest tides, reaching over 16 meters (52 feet). This extreme tidal range is due to the bay's funnel shape and resonance effects. It attracts geologists and tourists alike.
Which European colony established Port Royal in 1605 in what is now Nova Scotia?
New Spain
New England
Acadia
New France
In 1605, Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, founded Port Royal under the name Acadia, making it one of the earliest French settlements in North America. The colony of Acadia included parts of modern Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Maine. It changed hands between French and British control several times.
What Halifax building, completed in 1819, is the oldest seat of legislative government in Canada?
Public Gardens Pavilion
Halifax Citadel
Province House
Old Burying Ground Chapel
Province House in Halifax was completed in 1819 and has served continuously as the seat of Nova Scotia's legislature since then. It is recognized as the oldest legislative building in Canada. It also hosted the 1865 and 1866 meetings leading to Canadian Confederation.
Who served as governor of Nova Scotia when Halifax was founded in 1749?
Edward Cornwallis
Francis Legge
Michael Francklin
Charles Lawrence
Edward Cornwallis was appointed governor of Nova Scotia in 1749 and led the founding of Halifax that same year. His policies shaped early settlement but remain controversial due to conflicts with the Mi'kmaq. Cornwallis served until 1752.
In what year was the current Nova Scotia provincial flag officially adopted?
1867
1939
1929
1957
The design featuring a blue saltire on white with the provincial coat of arms was officially adopted as Nova Scotia's flag on February 15, 1929. This formalized a long-standing unofficial banner. The flag celebrates the province's Scottish heritage.
Which treaty, signed in 1726, ended hostilities and established peace between the Mi'kmaq and British in Nova Scotia?
Treaty of Utrecht
Peace of Westphalia
Treaty of Paris
Dummer's Treaty (Treaty of 1726)
Dummer's Treaty, also called the Treaty of 1726, was signed in Boston and brought to peace between the British and the Mi'kmaq after Dummer's War. It recognized Mi'kmaq rights and established trading relationships. It shaped relations for decades.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Nova Scotia's history -

    Explore key events and figures that shaped Nova Scotia, from colonial times to the modern era.

  2. Identify major geographic features -

    Recognize Nova Scotia's bays, peninsulas, and landmarks to deepen your geography knowledge.

  3. Recall cultural traditions and festivals -

    Test your memory on Nova Scotia's vibrant music, culinary specialties, and community celebrations.

  4. Analyze connections between geography and culture -

    Examine how Nova Scotia's coastal environment influences local customs and livelihoods.

  5. Demonstrate mastery of Nova Scotia trivia -

    Apply fun facts and trivia in conversations or future quizzes to showcase your expertise.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Major Historical Milestones -

    Dive into Nova Scotia's timeline by memorizing three key dates: the founding of Halifax in 1749, the Acadian Expulsion of 1755, and entry into Confederation in 1867. Mnemonic trick: FEC (Founding, Expulsion, Confederation) helps lock these events in your mind for the Nova Scotia history quiz.

  2. Bay of Fundy's Record Tides -

    Understand why the Bay of Fundy boasts the world's highest tides - up to 16 m - thanks to its funnel shape and resonant period of about 12 h 25 min (a lunar day). If you encounter a Nova Scotia geography quiz question on tides, recall the 12.42 h cycle formula and impressive 16 m range.

  3. Mi'kmaq Cultural Heritage -

    Explore the Indigenous roots of Mi'kma'ki - "Land of the People" - and key Mi'kmaq communities like Eskasoni and Listuguj. For Nova Scotia trivia on culture, remember the Sun Dance ceremony and the Mi'kmaq Supreme Law, known as Kepmite'tmnej.

  4. Iconic Provincial Symbols -

    Familiarize yourself with symbols featured in many Nova Scotia quizzes: the Bluenose schooner on Canada's dime, the Mayflower (Epigaea repens) flower, and the osprey as the provincial bird. A quick mnemonic - "Bluenose Makes Ospreys" - links these emblems effortlessly.

  5. Geography & Administrative Divisions -

    Remember that Nova Scotia comprises two landmasses - mainland and Cape Breton - linked by the Canso Causeway, and is split into 13 counties. Use the shorthand "MC13" (Mainland, Cape Breton, 13 counties) when tackling any Nova Scotia geography quiz.

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