2006 population: 16,643

The area was at the centre of the Aroostook War over the boundary line between the U.S.A. and what was then British North America. It was because of the boundary disputes in this entire area that the francophone Brayon (The francophones living in the area at that time were mainly Acadians. To this day, most people who call themselves pure "Brayon" are from Acadian descendence) residents on both the Canadian and U.S. sides took to referring to the region as the Republic of Madawaska. The tradition is carried on to this day, with each mayor of Edmundston being automatically given title as the "President of the Republic of Madawaska".

Originally named Petit-Sault (Little Falls), the settlement was renamed Edmundston in 1850 after Sir Edmund Walker Head, who was Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick from 1848 to 1854 and Governor-General of Canada from 1854 to 1861.

Festivals and Tourism

Each June, Edmundston plays host to the Festival Jazz et Blues d'Edmundston (the Edmundston Jazz and Blues Festival).

Every year in August, there is a large cultural festival in Edmundston called the Foire Brayonne. The festival is one of the biggest French themed festivals held in Canada east of the province of Quebec.

Tourist attractions include Le Jardin de la Republique (Camping Ground), Fort du Petit-Sault (former British military fort during the mid-1800s), an 18 hole golf in the city (1 minute car drive out of downtown), a walkable downtown with a lot of boutiques, stores, restaurants, Bed and Breakfasts and an hotel. There is also a convention centre in downtown and the Museum of The Automobile and Madawaska Historic Museum are also interesting local attractions.

The New Brunswick Botanical Garden is located in suburban Saint-Jacques, on seven hectares with over 80,000 plants, making it the largest arboretum east of Montreal.