Fredericton

Fredericton, capital of the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Fredericton is the cultural, artistic and educational centre of the province. Fredericton boasts two universities - the University of New Brunswick and the liberal arts focused Saint Thomas University. Fredericton is also home to cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the York-Sunbury Museum and the Playhouse, the latter which serves as a venue for local talent/writers. As well, adding to the city's rich cultural mileu, Fredericton is home to the annual Harvest and Jazz and Blues Festival every fall which attracts regional and international jazz and blues artists. The city also contains a growing IT and commercial sector. The city boasts the highest percentage of residents with a post-secondary education in the province and one of the highest per capita incomes.

The population of City of Fredericton is 48,000 (greater Fredericton 81,346, both per 2001 census), although unofficial reports more around 50,750 (greater Fredericton 84,523) due to the student population which is often not counted in offical censuses. The City of Fredericton comprises Fredericton proper, and the boroughs of Silverwood, Nashwaaksis, Devon, Barker's Point and Marysville which were incorporated into the city in 1973.

The city is situated in the west-central portion of the province and, along with Moncton and Saint John, is one of the main urban centres in Southern New Brunswick. The St. John River flows in a west-east direction, bisecting the city and providing the dominant natural feature for the municipality.