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travel / great places / canadian snapshots / cape breton
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Cape Breton Islands - Economy and Culture
The highlands of Cape Breton are distinct
not only in landscape but in culture too — many communities
in the region are largely of Scottish descent. In the early
1800s, Scottish migrants rushed to farm and struggled with marginally
fertile soil. But by 1820, the rush subsided and little land
was available for farming. Many Scottish migrants later abandoned
the less-productive soils, allowing forests to regenerate.
Today, only the best land in this area
is farmed, and many communities depend on the fishery for
a living. Forests of balsam firs growing throughout the plateau
have been impacted by fires, spruce budworm infestation, and
clearcutting. Although seasonal hunting continues in this
area, tourism and recreational activities predominate because
of the impressive scenery and wildlife attractions along the
Cabot Trail and in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
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Farm in the Cape Breton highlands |
The island's lowland and coastal areas provide further economic
resources. The Margaree Valley on the west coast, south of Inverness,
is a beautiful farming region. Livestock raising and dairying,
the most valuable agricultural activities, are carried out in
the farmlands of this area. Sydney, the largest cityon the island,
is a steel-manufacturing centre. Iron and limestone are also
shipped into its harbor from Newfoundland. Nova Scotia once
led all the Canadian provinces in quantity and value of coal
production but recently the costs of production have prompted
several mines to close. High-volatile bituminous coking coal
is still mined in the Sydney area.
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