What Newfoundland and Labrador is known for

Most of the residents of the province Newfoundland and Labrador live in Newfoundland. Many of them are English or Irish in descent. Labrador has few inhabitants, but those there are mostly Inuit and Montagnais-Naskapi natives to the area. The largest city of the province is St John's, the capital; it is located on the island of Newfoundland. The only other large city is Corner Brook, another urban center. Much of the economy is centered on mining, fishing, and lumber. Labrador is the center of mining for the province. Metals such as copper, gold, zinc, and iron are found, among which iron is the most prominent resource. The region alone brings in approximately half of all the ore in Canada.[5]

In Newfoundland, fishing is a prominent industry. Flounder, redfish, herring, salmon, lobster, and crab are caught along the coastal waters. Much of the lumber is also milled and processed in Newfoundland in the city of Corner Brook. Due to harsh weather and climate, there are only sparse areas of agriculture, and most food must be imported.[3]

Geography

Newfoundland and Labrador is in the easternmost part of North America. Labrador is part of the mainland surrounded by Quebec on the west and southern borders. The Atlantic Ocean surrounds Newfoundland, with Quebec to the west and Prince Edward Island to the south. The Strait of Belle Isle separates Newfoundland from Labrador. The Province as a whole contains seven thousand smaller islands.[5] 

There are three geographical areas in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Canadian Shield or Boreal Forest in Labrador, Appalachian, and the Eastern St. Lawrence Lowlands are located on the island of Newfoundland. Labrador is primarily rugged mountains with little vegetation in the northern coastal areas. The mountains contain some of the highest ore deposits in all of North America. In the southern and central areas, the region is forested. It is also the most populated area on the mainland of the Province, in the cities of Happy-Valley Goose Bay and Labrador City. Located on the island of Newfoundland near the western side are the Long Range Mountains, the interior area of the island is more hilly and rugged. The majority of the province residents live in the northeast coastal areas and on the west side of the island. The most popular area being the Avalon Peninsula in the northeast is the capital, the provincial capital St. Johns is located here. [2]

Newfoundland and Labrador have varying weather but are typically very cold. The general time for visitors is between June to September. In July, on the island of Newfoundland, the average temperature is about forty to fifty degrees Fahrenheit. During July, the mainland of Labrador can be slightly warmer, averaging closer to sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are extremely cold and have severe weather. Typical temperatures in January, the height of winter on Newfoundland, are 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather is even more extreme on the island of Labrador, reaching as low as forty degrees below zero. Average temperatures are generally around fifteen degrees below zero. On the island of Newfoundland, annual precipitation is around fifty-five inches. Labrador has about seventeen inches of precipitation. Much of the precipitation is snow in Labrador and a mix of snow and rain in Newfoundland. The weather is usually cloudy throughout the year. [6]

Much of the land is covered in forested principal plant life, such as balsam fir, black spruce, and yellow birches. Other plants include tamarack, lowbush blueberry, and pitcher plant (the provincial flower). There is much animal life on the mainland and island. Moose were introduced to Newfoundland and are now one of the most prominent animals on the island. Caribou can be found on the island as well but are more common in Labrador. Polar bears, black bears, lynx, Atlantic puffins, partridge, cod, salmon, beaver, and fox can be sited on the island but are generally found on the mainland.[4] Seals, whales, and types of fish and birds come to the area seasonally, generally from May through October. Newfoundland even has its own type of pony that may be the oldest breed of domesticated livestock in North America.[6]

History

Natives to the area have been living in Newfoundland and Labrador since 8000 BCE, and are ancestors of the current day Native Inuit peoples in Labrador. The last of the native groups on the island of Newfoundland was the Beothuk. In 1497 John Cabot and the English arrived on the island. The native Beothuk who had inhabited the whole island disappeared due to disease, and lack of food. The Inuit and Innu had similar challenges with the arrival of Europeans but began to work with them. In 2004 the Inuit gained the right to self-government, called the Nunatsiavut Government. These people are primarily located in northern Labrador. They still speak their native language and retain a portion of their ancient culture and people's traditions.[2]

Newfoundland is stated to be the earliest colonized area of the Americas. Bjarni Herjolfsson and other Vikings settled and established a small colony on the island in approximately the year 100. Ultimately the Norse colony failed and they did not come back to attempt more colonization, but a remnant of the colony was left behind now. The site where these remnants are located is called L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. It is believed that Jacques Cartier, a French explorer, was the first to arrive on the coast of Labrador and discovered the Magdalen Islands. The island has been explored by many nations among the Norse, Portuguese, and French who all laid claim to the land. Some time afterward, in 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed the island for England. It wasn't until 1610 that the first permanent settlement would be established.[2]

The population increased over the next 50 years as more colonies were established. However, in 1675, when the English government decided there was no value in settling that area of Canada, all settlers were ordered to leave. The act was never enforced and ultimately the colonies were recognized as a benefit to England and more rights were given to the people there. Around the same time, the First permanent French colonies were being established on the island. In 1689, a war between France and England erupted on the island of Newfoundland and the coastal areas of Labrador. The English almost lost the island completely to the French on several occasions during the war, but due to less time in transportation of troops, and more colonies established, England was eventually able to get a foothold and push the French back. In 1713 the Treaty of Utrecht was signed and enacted giving Britain the island and surrounding areas such as Labrador. Full rights and colonial status were finally achieved for Newfoundland and Labrador in 1855 giving them a representative government and more rights. Finally in 1949 Newfoundland and Labrador became the tenth and final providence of Canada.[2]

With new technologies and a higher population Newfoundland and Labrador began to increase their economy as more resources were mined, lumber production increased, and fishing doubled. In 1993, a large nickel, copper, and cobalt deposit was discovered at Voisey Bay. It is considered the richest base metal discovery since the Second World War. In the early 2000s, Newfoundland and Labrador became overfished and stricter laws and regulations were put in place. The lumber industry has slowly decreased, but Fishing and mining remain relatively steady, supporting the economy.[3]