Moncton Quick Facts
Discover why Moncton is an ideal place for visiting or calling home! Here’s why this picturesque small city makes for the ideal visit!
Moncton may not be Canada’s largest city, but that doesn’t diminish its charm or charisma. Feeling like home with friendly locals and endless ways to discover. While most have heard of Moncton before, there may still be some hidden facts you don’t know about that will entice you to add this destination on your must-visit list. So we compiled some of Moncton’s best and most fascinating features to make you want to add it as soon as possible!
Magnetic Hill
Magnetic Hill, an iconic optical illusion: Magnetic Hill is one of the world’s best-known optical illusions; yet few know it is located right here in Moncton! This fantastic attraction makes cars appear to defy gravity as they roll uphill – definitely an attraction you shouldn’t miss,
Seafood
Moncton is considered to be the lobster capital of the world: for seafood enthusiasts looking for fresh lobster dishes, there are numerous restaurants throughout Moncton offering this delectable crustacean.
Tidal Bores
Tidal Bores are one of Moncton’s must-see natural phenomena: on the Petitcodiac River in Moncton lies an amazing natural spectacle known as Tidal Bores – when an incoming tide clashes with river flow to produce waves up to one meter high! You simply won’t want to miss them!
Bilingual
Moncton is one of the most bilingual cities in Canada: with both English and French being widely spoken here, and many local residents being bi-cultural speakers, Moncton provides an ideal environment whether you speak only one or both, you’re sure to feel at home here!
Arts Scene
Moncton boasts a thriving arts scene: For such a small city, Moncton boasts a lively arts scene. From galleries to live music venues and theatre performances, there’s plenty of cultural events in Moncton that keep visitors enthralled.
All-in-all, Moncton is an idyllic city boasting natural beauty, welcoming locals, and plenty of things to see and do. No matter if it’s for just a brief stay or as your permanent residence – Moncton won’t disappoint.
Population: The population of Moncton, New Brunswick is approximately 85,000 people. However, the Greater Moncton area, including the cities of Dieppe and Riverview, has a population closer to 145,000. For the most accurate and current figure, please refer to the latest census data.
Area: Moncton covers an area of roughly 142 square kilometers (55 square miles).
Location: Moncton is located in southeastern New Brunswick, on the Petitcodiac River. It is the largest city in the province.
Official Languages: Moncton is officially bilingual, with residents speaking both English and French. In fact, it’s one of the few cities in Canada where the population is almost evenly divided between anglophones and francophones.
Economy: Moncton has a diverse economy, with major sectors including healthcare, education, retail, and information technology. It has been recognized as a top location for business several times by KPMG.
Here are five lesser-known facts about Moncton:
Magnetic Hill:
Moncton is home to a famous optical illusion known as Magnetic Hill. Here, cars that are put in neutral appear to roll uphill, due to the layout of the surrounding land.
Tidal Bore:
The Petitcodiac River experiences a unique phenomenon known as a tidal bore twice a day. This is where the tide from the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world, pushes up the river, causing a small wave or bore to travel against the river’s current.
Centre of Atlantic Canada:
Moncton is considered the geographic center of the Maritime Provinces, making it a transportation hub for the region. The city has a central location relative to Saint John, Fredericton, Halifax, and Charlottetown.
Cultural Festivals:
Moncton hosts the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada and is home to a number of annual cultural events and festivals, such as the Northrop Frye Literary Festival, Miroir/Mirror Festival and the HubCap Comedy Festival.
Ecological Park:
The city is home to the Irishtown Nature Park, one of the largest urban nature parks in Canada, covering over 2,200 acres of forest and lake ecosystem.