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Nova Scotia NS. Pop. 939,531. Area - 55,284 square kilometres (21,300 sq miles), Capital and Largest City – Halifax, Currency – Canadian Dollar. Language – English (Over 3.5% cite French as their main language). Time Zone – GMT minus 4 hours. Airport - Robert L. Stanfield International Airport (YHZ). Best time to go – Autumn, especially on the east coast where the ocean has a moderating effect on the climate. Nova Scotia was named after Scotland, where the initial European colonists arrived from in 1621. Today people of Scottish descent are still the largest ethnic group in the province and the flag of Nova Scotia is a Saltire design (blue cross with a white background) with a Lion Rampant in the middle. The economy of Nova Scotia is traditionally largely resource-based, but has diversified since the middle of the 20th century. Older traditional industries such as fishing, mining, forestry and agriculture remain very important, but have been added to by tourism, technology, film, music, and financial services. Despite its relatively small size there are many things to see and do in the province. Popular places to visit include: Bay of Fundy (World’s largest tides), Peggy's Cove Lighthouse (south west of Halifax), Cape Breton Highlands, Citadel Hill (Halifax), and Kejimikujik National Park. After returning from theses sites visitors can relax with a Nova Scotia brewed beer such as “Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale," known locally as "Keith’s”.