Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick, Canada, is a vibrant urban center nestled in the west-central part of the province along the Saint John River. With a population of 63,116 and a metropolitan population of 108,610 as per the 2021 Canadian Census, Fredericton is the third-largest city in the province. This article explores the rich history, geography, demographics, and cultural offerings of Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Fredericton's history dates back 12,000 years, with archaeological evidence of a camp in the area. The city's modern history began in 1783 with the arrival of United Empire Loyalists from New England. The following year, New Brunswick was partitioned from Nova Scotia and became its own colony. The city, originally named "Fredericstown" after Frederick, the second son of King George III, became the capital of the new colony. Fredericton was a British garrison town from 1784 to 1869, and the military compound is preserved as a National Historic Site of Canada.
The Saint John River, also known by its Indigenous name of Wolastoq, bisects Fredericton, flowing west to east. The city's post-war suburban development occurred on the gently sloping hills on either side of the river. Fredericton is nestled in the Pennsylvanian Basin at an altitude of about 17 m (56 ft) above sea level. The city and its surroundings are rich in water resources, which, coupled with highly arable soil, make the Fredericton region ideal for agriculture.
Fredericton experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate, with short, warm summers and long, cold winters. The city has high humidity and precipitation year-round, receiving approximately 1,100 mm (43 in) of precipitation per year.
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Fredericton had a population of 63,116 living in 28,478 of its 29,892 total private dwellings. The census reported that immigrants comprise 12.6% of the total population of Fredericton, with the top countries of origin being the United Kingdom, China, the United States of America, Syria, Philippines, India, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Fredericton is an important cultural, artistic, and educational center for the province. The city is home to two universities, the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Fredericton Region Museum, and The Playhouse, a performing arts venue. The city hosts the annual Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, attracting regional and international jazz, blues, rock, and world artists. Fredericton is also an important and vibrant center point for the region's top visual artists.
Fredericton's architectural styles range from Victorian to modern. There are 12 National Historic Sites in the city, beyond the dozen National Historic People and two National Historic Events honored there.
Fredericton boasts a network of 25 trails totaling more than 85 km (53 mi) on both sides of the Saint John and Nashwaak Rivers. Many of the city trails are rail trails that follow old railway lines. The city also offers several parks for outdoor activities, including Carleton Park, The Green, Killarney Lake Park, Odell Park, Officers' Square, Queen Square Park, Reading Park, and Wilmot Park.
Fredericton is home to two universities, the University of New Brunswick (UNB), and St. Thomas University, the province's only Catholic university. The city also hosts the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, the New Brunswick Community College, and the Maritime College of Forest Technology. The Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre and Fredericton's Provincial Research Organization are key research institutions in the city.
Fredericton is served by the Fredericton International Airport and Fredericton Transit provides bus service. The city started installing bicycle lanes in July 2008. Fredericton is also served by the Maritime Bus fleet which provides connections to points throughout Eastern Canada. The Trans-Canada Highway passes along the southern municipal boundary, and two highway bridges, the Westmorland Street Bridge and the Princess Margaret Bridge, cross the Saint John River.
