Cape Breton Island

an island of northeastern Nova Scotia. It is separated from the peninsula of the mainland by the Strait of Canso, sixteen miles long and nowhere to exceed two miles in width. A deep bay cuts the island almost in two. The island was settled first by the French, who called it Isle Royale. It was defended by the fortress of Louisburg. The island was ceded to Great Britain in 1763, and was united to Nova Scotia in 1820. Area, 3,120 square miles. Population, about 30,000. The chief town is Sydney. A superior quality of bituminous coal is mined there. See Nova Scotia