In the pre-industrial era three distinct regions defined by the sea coasts characterized the Maritimes. The Atlantic facing shore of Nova Scotia centred on Halifax as its metropolis. Saint John was the focal point of a hinterland composed of the Saint John River valley and the Bay of Fundy shores of both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The third area, the Gulf of St. Lawrence shore, includes Prince Edward Island and parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Just taking shape around the time of Confederation was a fourth zone, destined to become stronger with the onset of industrialization. It was to be defined by the Intercolonial Railway stretching from Sydney through Pictou and Moncton and on towards MontrΘal.
The rail road network completed during the period before the First World War altered many of the seaward orientations of Maritime communities and transformed the environment in which workers made their living. The Intercolonial (the red line on the map) and the Canadian Pacific (the green line) terminated in Halifax and Saint John, respectively. They would compete for status as Canada's premier Maritime lines and as major winter ports. Smaller lines linked larger centres with their hinterlands: the South Shore Line from Halifax to Yarmouth and The National Transcontinental which bisected New Brunswick after the turn of the century. All except the Canadian Pacific Line were integrated into the publicly owned and operated Canadian National Railways following the war, including the Grand Trunk Line (white on the map) linking MontrΘal with Portland, Maine.
