Its northern border constitutes the South Mountain. Starting at the rugged Atlantic coast, and marked by many inlets, islands, coves and bays, it rises to an altitude of 180 to 210 m in the interior. Of these fragments, the largest is the Southern Upland, which occupies the southern and central part The Atlantic Upland is one of Nova Scotia’s chief physical features and is recognized by its five fragments, separated in places by extensive lowlands.

Nova Scotia is separated from Prince Edward Island by the Northumberland Strait and from New Brunswick by the Bay of Fundy. At its northeastern end is Cape Breton Island. The province is primarily a peninsula extending from the country’s mainland.

Nova Scotia is part of the Appalachian region, one of Canada seven physiographic regions.