Cape Breton Island

Cape Breton Island, irregularly shaped, hilly island in north-eastern Nova Scotia, Canada, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of St Lawrence. The island is 177 km (110 mi) long and as much as 137 km (85 mi) wide, with an area of 10,311 sq km (3,981 sq mi). It is separated from the mainland of Nova Scotia by the Strait of Canso and is divided into two parts by the large Bras d'Or Lake.

The rugged landforms and cool summer climate of Cape Breton Island attract many tourists. Attractions include the Cabot Trail, a scenic road that offers spectacular views along the north-eastern coast. The road also passes through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which has uplands that reach heights of 532 m (1,747 ft). Besides tourism, important industries on the island include coal mining, steelmaking, fishing, and timber production. The principal coal mines are located near Sydney, the island's main urban centre, which has large steel mills. Other towns include Glace Bay, New Waterford, North Sydney, and Sydney Mines. The island's population (1991) is 161,806. Most of the inhabitants of Cape Breton Island are descended from the Highland Scots who settled there in the early 19th century. Some French-Canadians and a small number of Micmac also live on the island.

The first European to see the island was probably John Cabot, an English navigator who arrived in the region in 1497. In 1534, the French explorer Jacques Cartier visited the island, which was probably named after Cap Breton, a region of France. In 1629 a group of Scots founded the island's first European settlement, which soon after was captured by the French. The island was formally assigned to France in 1713 by the Peace of Utrecht, and it was renamed Île Royale. At Louisbourg, in the south-east, during the early 18th century, the French built a large fortress to help defend the sea route to the St Lawrence River. The fortress was seized by British colonial forces in 1745, during King George's War, but was returned to French control three years later. In 1758, during the Seven Years' War, the British destroyed the fortress and gained possession of the island. Cape Breton Island has been administered as part of Nova Scotia since 1763, except from 1784 to 1820, when it was considered a separate British colony and served as shelter for American refugees who had been loyal to Britain during the American War of Independence.