IntroductionLunenburg is a historical town located on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia, approximately 90 kilometres south of Halifax.
The area around the town is very hilly and have forests consisting of mostly oak and maple trees. Also there is some flat land with very fertile soil suitable for farming. If you live in Lunenburg, you might feel comfortable with the warm summers and moderate winters. Because of Lunenburg’s proximity to the ocean you can expect the air to be moist and occasional fog.
In earlier days the only way to get to and from Lunenburg was by boat, but today Lunenburg is joined to it’s neighbouring towns by road. Although boat is still being used today. Another source of transportation is Lunenburg’s Marine Railway which links it right to the city of Sydney Nova Scotia.
History
The area around Lunenburg was first inhabited by the Mi’ kmaq Indians until the early 1700's when the land was cleared by Acadian farmers. But the town of wasn’t actually established until 1753. It was the first British colony outside of Halifax. Most of the settlers were from Germany, Switzerland, and the Montbeliard region of France.
Lunenburg’s early economy was built on farming, fishing, ship building and ocean-based commerce, particularly in the West Indies trade. More than 200 years in fishing, ship-building and marine related industries has provided Lunenburg with a strong economic base. Lunenburg supplied the capital city, Halifax, with agricultural products and firewood.
In the 1850's, however ships from Lunenburg were fishing on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Soon fishing became a new boost for Lunenburg’s economy. Also jobs were not only created by fishing itself but by the onshore processing of the fish. At first the fish were salted and dried then shipped off to Europe and the West Indies, later replaced by the processing of fresh, frozen fish products.
Another economic kick was its famous ship building industry. The large trees around Lunenburg were idea for building ships and this soon developed into a skill for Lunenburg’s people. Lunenburg was building ships and selling them all over the continent.
Economy
More than 180 local businesses make Lunenburg a commercial center for surrounding communities. Over 60% of those employed in Lunenburg are involved in the tertiary or service sector of the economy. Many of those employed in this sector are involved in the tourism industry which has become a thriving business as the town promotes its traditional heritage.
Today approximately 20% of Lunenburg’s people work in the secondary industry. Some of the main industries in Lunenburg are High Liner Foods Inc., one of the largest fish processing plants in North America. Also Lunenburg’s Industrial Foundry and Engineering Ltd., Scotia Trawl and Deep Sea Trawl supply the world with sturdy steel hull ships providing much needed employment.
Many people still make a living of sail making, fishing, trades and technology, and dory making but Lunenburg’s economy is becoming more diversified into tourism, manufacturing, and services. Despite this the average employment rate is slightly less than the provincial average.
People
The people of Lunenburg are mostly all from German, Swiss, or French heritage and are descendants of the original settlers. Since 1991 there has been a 6.5% population decrease due to the collapse of the fishery, with the 1996 census registering 2 599 people.
Students in Lunenburg attend Lunenburg Academy which has approximately 160 students from primary to grade 5 and then the Lunenburg Jr. Sr. High for grades 6 to 12.
Links
Text Book : Atlantic Canada in the Global Community
