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Newfoundland and Labrador, the place where land, water and sky
embrace like old friends. And the edge of North America holds an
adventure as big as the sky.
Newfoundland is the Far East of the Western world...where North
America wakes up first. With over 1,500 kms of coastal and cross-island
hiking trails through a landscape so huge and untouched - you can
get lost in her beauty for days without ever seeing a single soul
- of the human variety. On land and in water however, wildlife abounds.
A place where thousands of land and sea creatures call home, thanks
to the confluence of ocean currents and geography.
Immersed in culture and heritage unlike anywhere else in the world.
A modern, vibrant society that still retains its old world charm.
A haven for the creative and performing arts inspired by a passion
for the landscape and a fascinating history.
LOCATION
Newfoundland is Canada's most easterly province, and is in the northeast
corner of North America, facing the North Atlantic. The province
consists of two distinct geographical entities, the island of Newfoundland
and Labrador, which is located on the mainland bordering Quebec.
The province has a total area of 405,720 square kilometres, with
a coastline of over 17,000 kilometres.
HISTORY
The central region of the island of Newfoundland was the home of
the Beothuk Indians. The first Europeans to visit Newfoundland were
Vikings, who arrived in the late tenth century. In the 1500s Europeans
"discovered" the area and began fishing in the Grand Banks
south of the island, including the Basques, Portuguese, Spanish,
British and French. Colonial warfare lasted through the 1600s and
1700s until the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, which gave British control
over Newfoundland and the fishing banks. In 1832, the people of
Newfoundland were granted an elected assembly and its own responsible
government in 1855. Following World War II, Newfoundland's status
as a British colony was th subject of several referenda until 1948,
when Newfoundlanders voted in favour of joining the Canadian confederation.
Newfoundland became Canada's newest province on March 31, 1949.
PEOPLE
The province has a population of 551,000, of which 174,000 live
in St.
John's, the historic commercial centre and capital of the island.
Other major centres are Grand Falls, Windsor and Corner Brook.
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