Sydney, NS, Metropolitan Area, pop 114 733 (1996c), 117 403 (1991c), area 2549.76 km2, is located near the eastern extremity of CAPE BRETON ISLAND. It is the centre of the second-largest urban complex in NOVA SCOTIA, Cape Breton Regional Municipality (1995). Its fine harbour, known as Spanish Bay in colonial times, is ringed by the richest coalfield in eastern Canada.
Since 1900 it has been noted for its huge steel mill, the largest and most modern in Canada at its construction. The industrial core around the mill has been in decline since the end of WWII as the coal mines of the surrounding communities became less productive and the obsolete steel mill less competitive with central Canadian producers.