Imagine a map of Nova Scotia without place names. Not only would you have a difficult time locating various communities, you would also lose the rich heritage of those who came before us. Each name tells a story and provides a sense of place as well as a link between location and a point on the map.

There are more than 28 000 official names in Nova Scotia, including 2800 community names.From Cape North to Brier Island and from Clark’s Harbour to Tidnish, the names reflect First Nation, French, English and a host of other cultures who have inhabited this province.

What is an Official Name?

An official name is one that has been approved by the Geographic Board of Canada (or its successors) and or by Nova Scotia's member of the Geographical Names Board of Canada (GNBC). All official names are recorded in the Canadian Geographical Names Database, and the Nova Scotia Geographical Names Database. While a specific geographical feature or location may be known by more than one name, each place has only one official name.

Why do we need official names?

Clear, consistent names are critical to emergency service response and services such as mail and courier delivery. The Government of Nova Scotia, through the Geographical Names Program, records and maintains the proper spelling and location of the more than 28 000 community and geographical feature names (mountains, islands, lakes and rivers, etc.) in the province.