Fredericton (pronounced ) is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, making it the seat of the provincial Crown. The city is an important cultural, artistic and educational centre for the province and is home to two universities - the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University. Fredericton is home to cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the York-Sunbury Museum and The Playhouse, the latter which serves as a venue for theatre, concerts and other entertaining diversions. The city hosts the annual Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, attracting regional and international jazz and blues artists. As a provincial capital, its economy is inextricably tied to the fortunes of the public sector; however, the city also contains a growing IT and commercial sector. The city boasts the highest percentage of residents with a post-secondary education in the province and one of the highest per capita incomes.

In the 2006 census, the population of the city of Fredericton was 50,535_&Geo2=PR&Code2=13&Data=Count&SearchText=Fredericton&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=13&B1=All&Custom=" target="_blank">http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CMA&Code1=320__&Geo2=PR&Code2=13&Data=Count&SearchText=Fredericton&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=13&B1=All&Custom= and the population of the census agglomeration (termed "Greater Fredericton") was 85,688http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CMA&Code1=320__&Geo2=PR&Code2=13&Data=Count&SearchText=Fredericton&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=13&B1=All&Custom=.

The first major expansion of the city occurred on July 1, 1945 when it amalgamated with the town of Devon. Today the city of Fredericton comprises Fredericton proper, and the boroughs of Silverwood, Nashwaaksis, Barker's Point and Marysville, which were incorporated into the city in 1973.

The city is situated in the west-central portion of the province and, along with _Moncton and Saint John, is one of the main urban centres in southern New Brunswick. The St. John River flows in a west-east direction, bisecting the city and providing the dominant natural feature for the municipality.