Newfoundland & Labrador

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is divided into two separate land masses...the island of Newfoundland (about 112,000 sq km) and the much larger mainland territory of Labrador (292,000 sq km). Occupying Canada's most Eastern coast, it is the closest part of America to Europe, excluding Greenland and stretches over 1500 km from north to south and over 1000 km from east to west. Until today, settlements are mainly scattered along the coast and living is still very much focused on the sea. Beside the unspoiled and breathtaking nature Newfoundland and Labrador offer a one-of-a-kind wildlife watching. The world’s largest caribou herd is living here and beside a high population of black bear and moose almost a third of all whales are passing by the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador. Huge seabird colonies, including northern gannets, Atlantic puffins, kittiwakes etc., attracting birders and photographers from all over the world.
The Avalon Peninsula, the most easterly region in the province, is almost an island itself, connected to the big island by an isthmus only a few kilometres wide. It offers many of the best features of the island in a compact area. Home to St. John's, the capital and largest city of the province, it also contains some of the best wildlife observation areas including seabird colonies, whales and the Avalon caribou herd of about 5000 animals.

Quick Facts

• Capital - St. John's
• Flower - Pitcher Plant
• Entered Confederation - 31 March 1949
• Population, approx.  539,000
• Land area out of Canada's total area - 4.06%

Cities

St. John's, the capital city, is located in the Avalon Peninsula, and the historic commercial centre of the island, is the province's largest city, with a population of approximately 101,936, with a metro-area population of 177,000.
Other major centres are Grand Falls, Windsor and Corner Brook. Smaller communities - called outports - remain an important element in Newfoundland society. The twin towns of Labrador City and Wabush, which together form the largest urban community of Labrador, are based on the iron-ore mining industries of the area.

Time Zone

Newfoundland has its own time zone, the Newfoundland Time Zone, and is 3.5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time and 0.5 hours before Atlantic Time.
Labrador is situated in the Atlantic Time Zone.

Climate

The island of Newfoundland enjoys winters that are surprisingly mild by Canadian standards, between 0°C and -5°C., though with a high rate of precipitation. The average temperature in Newfoundland in the summer is between 10°C and 20°C. Labrador, by comparison, has cold winters, between 10°C and -25°C, and brief summers with temperatures between 5°C and 15°C. Newfoundland's climate can best be described as moderate and maritime.