Chéticamp, Nova Scotia, is a charming unincorporated community nestled on the west coast of Cape Breton Island. This local service centre is a part of the scenic Cabot Trail and is home to a majority of Acadians. Together with its smaller neighbour, Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, Chéticamp forms the largest Francophone enclave on Cape Breton Island. As of 2006, the population was 3,039 people.
The name "Chéticamp" traces back to the Mi'kmaq First Nations, who still inhabit Cape Breton Island, although not in Chéticamp. In the Micmac language, the name is Awjátúj, meaning "rarely full," likely referring to the mouth of Chéticamp harbour that once had a large dune that grew during low tide. The French spelling of the town's name underwent several variations before settling on the current spelling on 3 May 1815, in the writings of the missionary Antoine Manseau.
Chéticamp was initially a fishing station used during the summer months by Charles Robin, a merchant from the island of Jersey. It is considered one of the Acadian capitals of the world. Following the Great Expulsion, many Acadians migrated to this area. The first permanent settlers after this era were the families of Pierre Bois and Joseph Richard, who arrived in 1782. Today, Chéticamp, located at the entrance of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, is a popular tourist spot.
Chéticamp is situated at the western entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which houses the Acadian Trail. The downtown area overlooks a harbour protected from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence by Chéticamp Island. The Chéticamp River flows into the Gulf of St. Lawrence approximately 5 km northeast of the village.
Chéticamp experiences a humid continental climate (Dfb). The Gulf of Saint Lawrence and Cape Breton Highlands significantly influence its temperature and precipitation patterns. The highest temperature ever recorded in Chéticamp was 33.3 °C (92 °F) on 10 August 2001, while the coldest was −29.5 °C (−21.1 °F) on 27 January 1994.
Chéticamp extends itself for four kilometres along the Cabot Trail, offering a plethora of attractions for visitors. The local beach, St. Peter's Beach, is a popular spot for swimming, camping, and other recreational activities. The Northern Inverness Recreational Association manages the local golf course, Le Portage, renowned for its beautiful views and challenging course. From Main street Chéticamp, you can view the typical Chéticamp houses, rich in Acadian history. The Université Sainte-Anne also has a campus in Saint-Joseph-du-Moine.
