Annapolis Royal
Annapolis Royal is a town in and the county seat of Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, Canada. The community, known as Port Royal before 1710, is recognised as having one of the longest histories in North America, preceding the settlements at Plymouth, Jamestown and Quebec. For nearly 150 years, it served as the capital of Acadia and subsequently Nova Scotia until the establishment of Halifax in 1749.
Annapolis Royal
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Town and County seat | |
Waterfront of Annapolis Royal View from Fort Anne looking south over Annapolis Basin Saint Luke's Church Pierre Dugua Monument Lighthouse View of Granville Ferry from Annapolis Royal | |
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Flag | |
| Nickname: Cradle of Canada | |
Annapolis Royal Location of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia | |
| Coordinates: 44°44′30″N 65°30′55″W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Nova Scotia |
| Municipality | Annapolis County |
| Founded | 1605 (as Port Royal) |
| Incorporated | November 29, 1892 |
| Named for | Anne, Queen of Great Britain |
| Electoral Districts Federal | West Nova |
| Provincial | Annapolis |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Amery Boyer |
| • Governing Body | Annapolis Royal Town Council |
| • MLA | Carman Kerr (L) |
| • MP | Chris d'Entremont (C) |
| Area (2016) | |
| • Total | 2.04 km2 (0.79 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2021) | |
| • Total | 530 |
| • Density | 268.3/km2 (695/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Annapolitan |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (Atlantic Daylight Saving Time) |
| Postal code | B0S1A0 |
| Area code | 902 |
| Telephone Exchange | 526, 532 |
National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Official name | Annapolis Royal Historic District National Historic Site of Canada |
| Designated | 1994 |
| Website | annapolisroyal |
In 1605, France established a settlement on the Annapolis Basin, centred on the habitation at Port Royal. By 1629, Scotland renewed the settlement, this time centred around Charles Fort, which is the site of the modern town. The settlement of Port Royal passed several times between France, Scotland, England and Great Britain until it was finally ceded to Great Britain in 1713. Due to its location on the boundary between the colonial powers of France and Great Britain, it encountered a grand total of thirteen assaults, surpassing all other locations in North America.: viii
In 1994, the historic heart of Annapolis Royal, having been the site of critical moments in North America's development, was officially named a National Historic Site of Canada. The historic district is one of numerous National Historic Sites and two National Trust for Canada properties in and around Annapolis Royal. The town resides within the working landscape of the UNESCO designated, Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.
Formerly centred around military affairs and shipping, the town's primary economic focus has shifted to tourism.