Canso, Nova Scotia

Canso
Canso as seen from the harbour
Nickname: 
Oldest Fishing Port on Mainland North America
Motto(s): 
"Heritage, Heart & Home"
Canso
Location of Canso, Nova Scotia
Coordinates: 45°20′2″N 60°59′43″W / 45.33389°N 60.99528°W / 45.33389; -60.99528
Country Canada
Province Nova Scotia
CountyGuysborough County
French Settlement1600's
British Settlement1720
IncorporatedMay 14, 1901
DissolvedJuly 1, 2012
Government
  TypeDistrict Municipality
  BodyMunicipality of the District of Guysborough
  CouncillorFin Armsworthy
  WardenPaul Long
  MLAGreg Morrow (Conservative)
  MPMike Kelloway (Liberal)
Area
  Land5.42 km2 (2.09 sq mi)
Highest elevation
14 m (46 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2016)
  Total
739
  Density136.4/km2 (353/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-4 (AST)
  Summer (DST)UTC-3 (ADT)
Canadian Postal code
B0H 1H0
Area code902
Telephone Exchange366
Median Earnings*$30,502
NTS Map11F7 Cape Canso
GNBC CodeCAGBW
Websitehttp://www.municipality.guysborough.ns.ca/
Historical population
YearPop.±%
19011,479    
19111,617+9.3%
19211,623+0.4%
19311,575−3.0%
19411,418−10.0%
19511,313−7.4%
19561,261−4.0%
19611,151−8.7%
19811,255+9.0%
19861,285+2.4%
19911,228−4.4%
19961,127−8.2%
2001992−12.0%
2006911−8.2%
2011806−11.5%

Canso is an unincorporated community and former incorporated town in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Canso lies on the far north eastern tip of mainland Nova Scotia at the mouth of Chedabucto Bay. It was incorporated as a town in 1901. In January 2012, it ceased to be a separate town, and was amalgamated into the Municipality of the District of Guysborough in July 2012. The area was first settled as a fishing settlement in the 1600's. The construction of a British fort in the village in 1720 was instrumental in contributing to the outbreak of Dummer's War in 1722. The town is of national historic importance because it was one of only two British settlements in Nova Scotia prior to the establishment of Halifax (1749). Canso played a key role in the defeat of Fortress of Louisbourg. Today, the town attracts people internationally for the annual Stan Rogers Folk Festival.