The city of Saint John is the biggest city within the Province of New Brunswick and is the oldest incorporated city within Canada. Saint John is referred to as the "Largest Little City in the East." It is said that Sieur de Monts and Samuel De Champlain, French Explorers landed on the existing "St. John River" on the 24th of June, the year 1604. This day is important since it is St. John the baptist's feast day. This prompted them to name the river to honor the saint. A significant historic landmark on the eastern side of Saint John Harbour is Portland Point (near H.M.C.S. Brunswicker). This was where the first permanent French community within the part of Acadia or New Brunswick was created. In the year 1758, the British settled in the region and was replaced by American revolutionaries during 1775. Its divided communities became amalgamated as Saint John and became the first incorporated city of Canada.
Saint John offers varied recreational activities for everyone, consisting of Adult Programs. The Department of Recreation provides several general interest, physical and arts activity programs intended to enrich and enhance lifestyles. It includes Music Programs, Leisure Programs, Dance Programs, Arts & Crafts Programs, Fitness Programs, Yoga Programs, and Children's Programs, Belly Dancing Programs, Community Programs (Kilbride Community Centre and Shea Heights Community Center), Family Programs, Fitness Programs, Outdoor Pursuits (Outdoor courses comprise Orienteering, Map & Compass, Outdoor/Wilderness Survival, Archery, Shelter/Hut Construction, Canoeing, Environmental Education, Kayaking, Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing and Hiking), Racquet Sports, R.E.A.L Program, Seniors' Programs, and Special Services-Inclusion Services.
There are likewise many outdoor and sports activities provided by the city of Saint John. According to the needs of each group, each pursuit could be custom designed, with groups being able to choose from the following activities: Camping, Orienteering, Shelter Construction, Kayaking, Survival map & Compass, Hiking Wilderness, Archery, Canoeing, Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Outdoor Cooking, Fire Building and Environmental Education.
The city of St. John is considered an industrial giant within the Maritime Provinces of Canada. K.C. Irving, a popular industrialist in the 20th century, has built many businesses in the city of St. John, like for instance transportation, media, shipbuilding, forestry, and oil businesses. His businesses still remain dominant within the region, particularly the newsprint mill, tissue power plant, pulp mill, and oil terminal. Along with Irving's businesses, the several major businesses in the city of St. John are the New Brunswick Power Corporation, which operates Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, Aliant Telecom, and the Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation.