Newfoundland and Labrador

This article is about the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. For the island that makes up part of it, see Newfoundland (island). For other meanings of "Newfoundland", see Newfoundland.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador
Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador Coat of arms of Newfoundland and Labrador
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Quaerite prime regnum Dei
(Latin: Seek ye first the kingdom of God. -A quote from The Gospel According to St. Matthew 6:33)
Map of Canada with Newfoundland and Labrador highlighted
Capital St. John's
Largest city St. John's
Largest metro St. John's
Official languages English (de facto)
Government
Lieutenant-Governor John Crosbie
Premier Danny Williams (PC)
Federal representation in Canadian Parliament
House seats 7
Senate seats 6
Confederation March 31, 1949 (12th)
Area  Ranked 10th
Total 405,212 km2 (156,453 sq mi)
Land 373,872 km2 (144,353 sq mi)
Water (%) 31,340 km2 (12,100 sq mi) (7.7%)
Population  Ranked 9th
Total (2008) 508,270 (est.)[1]
Density 1.36 /km² (3.5 /sq mi)
GDP  Ranked 8th
Total (2007) C$29.034 billion[2]
Per capita C$57,348[3] (3rd)
Abbreviations
Postal NL (formerly NF)
ISO 3166-2 CA-NL
Time zone UTC-3.5 for Newfoundland
UTC -4 for Labrador(Black Tickle and North)
Postal code prefix A
Flower Pitcher plant
Tree Black Spruce
Bird Atlantic Puffin
Website www.gov.nl.ca
Rankings include all provinces and territories

Newfoundland and Labrador (IPA: /ˈnuːfɨn(d)lænd ən(d) ˈlæbrəˌdɔr/) (French: Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador) is a province of Canada, the tenth to join the Confederation. Geographically, the province consists of the island of Newfoundland and the mainland Labrador, on Canada's Atlantic coast. On entry into Canada in 1949, the entire province was known as Newfoundland, but since 1964, the province's government has referred to itself as the "Government of Newfoundland and Labrador", and on December 6 2001, an amendment was made to the Constitution of Canada to change the province's official name to "Newfoundland and Labrador".[4] In day-to-day conversation, however, Canadians generally still refer to the province itself as "Newfoundland" and to the region within the province as "Labrador."

While the name "Newfoundland" is derived from English as "New Found Land" (a translation from the Latin Terra Nova), Labrador comes from the Portuguese lavrador, a title meaning "landholder/ploughman" held by Portuguese explorer of the region João Fernandes Lavrador.

As of April 2008, the province's population is estimated to be 508,270.[1] People from Newfoundland are called "Newfoundlanders" (and at times "Newfies", though this can be seen as a pejorative) while people from Labrador are called "Labradorians". Newfoundland has its own dialects of the English, French, and Irish languages. The English dialect in Labrador shares much with that of Newfoundland. Furthermore, Labrador has its own dialects of Innu-aimun and Inuktitut.

Contents

History

Main article: History of Newfoundland and Labrador

Human inhabitation in Newfoundland and Labrador can be traced back over nine thousand years to the people of the Maritime Archaic Tradition.[5] They were gradually displaced by people of the Dorset Culture (paleoeskimos[6] and finally by the Innu and Inuit in Labrador and the Beothuks on the island. The oldest known European contact was made over a thousand years ago when the Vikings briefly settled in L'Anse aux Meadows. Five hundred years later, European explorers (John Cabot, Gaspar Corte-Real, Jacques Cartier, and others), fishermen from England, Portugal, France and Spain and Basque whalers (the remains of several whaling stations have been found at Red Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador) began exploration and exploitation of the area.

The overseas expansion of British Empire began when Sir Humphrey Gilbert took possession of Newfoundland in the name of England in 1583. Apart from St.John's, which was already established, early settlements were started at Cupids, Ferryland and other places.[7]

The Newfoundland Red Ensign was an unofficial commercial ensign from 1904 to 1931.

During its history Newfoundland and Labrador have had many forms of government,[8] including a time as the Dominion of Newfoundland, equivalent in status to Canada and Australia. Newfoundland and Labrador became the tenth province of Canada on March 31, 1949.

Newfoundland has been a battleground in numerous early wars among Great Britain, France, Spain and even the United States.[9] The Royal Newfoundland Regiment fought with distinction in World War I. Numerous bases were built in Newfoundland and Labrador by Canada and the United States during World War II,[10] particularly to safeguard the Atlantic convoys to Europe.

Politics of the province were dominated by the Liberal Party, led by Joseph R. Smallwood, from confederation until 1972. In 1972, the Smallwood government was replaced by the Progressive Conservative administration of Frank Moores. In 1979, Brian Peckford, another Progressive Conservative, became Premier. During this time, Newfoundland was involved in a dispute with the federal government for control of offshore oil resources. In the end, the dispute was decided by compromise. In 1989, Clyde Wells and the Liberal Party returned to power ending 17 years of Conservative government.

Newfoundland and Canadian Government delegation signing the agreement admitting Newfoundland to confederation in December 1948. Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent and Albert Walsh shake hands following signing of agreement.

In the late 1980s, the federal government, along with its Crown corporation Petro-Canada and other private sector petroleum exploration companies, committed to developing the oil and gas resources of the Hibernia oil field on the northeast portion of the Grand Banks. Throughout the mid-1990s, thousands of Newfoundlanders were employed in the oil industry.

The pressure of the oil and gas industry to explore offshore in Atlantic Canada saw Newfoundland and Nova Scotia submit to a federal arbitration to decide on a disputed offshore boundary between the two provinces in the Laurentian Basin. The 2003 settlement rewrote an existing boundary in Newfoundland's favour, opening this area up to energy exploration.

In 1992 and again in 2003, the federal government declared moratoriums on the Atlantic cod fishery due to declining catches, which deeply affected the economy of Newfoundland.

From late October 2004 to early January 2006, Premier Williams argued that then Prime Minister Paul Martin had not held up his promises for a new deal on the "Atlantic Accord". The issue is the royalties from oil. Toward the end of 2004, Williams ordered the Canadian flag to be removed from all provincial buildings as a protest against federal policies, and asked for municipal councils to consider doing the same. The flags went back up in January 2005 after much controversy nationwide. At the end of January, the federal government signed a deal to allow 100% of oil revenues to go to the province.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province in Canada. The Strait of Belle Isle separates the province into two geographical divisions, Labrador and island of Newfoundland.[11] The province also includes over seven thousand small islands.[12]

Newfoundland is roughly triangular, with each side being approximately 400 kilometers (250 mi), and having an area of 108,860 square kilometers (41,700 sq mi).[12] Newfoundland and its associated small islands have a total area of 111,390 square kilometers (43,008 sq mi).[13] Newfoundland extends between latitudes 46°36'N and 51°38'N.[14][15]

Labrador is an irregular shape: the western part of its border with Quebec is drainage divide for the Labrador Peninsula. Lands drained by rivers that flow into the Atlantic Ocean are part of Labrador, the rest belong to Quebec. Labrador’s extreme northern tip, at 60°22'N, shares a short border with Nunavut. Labrador’s area (including associated small islands) is 294,330 square kilometers (113,641 sq mi).[13] Together, Newfoundland and Labrador make up 4.06% of Canada’s area.[16]

Labrador is the most eastern part of the Canadian Shield, a vast area of ancient metamorphic rock comprising much of northeastern North America. Colliding tectonic plates have shaped much of the geology of Newfoundland. Gros Morne National Park has a reputation of being an outstanding example of tectonics at work,[17] and as such has been designated a World Heritage Site. The Long Range Mountains on Newfoundland's west coast are the northeasternmost extension of the Appalachian Mountains.[11]

The north-south extent of the province (46°36'N to 60°22'N), prevalent westerly winds, cold ocean currents and local factors such as mountains and coastline combine to create the various climates of the province.[18] Northern Labrador is classified as a polar tundra climate, southern Labrador is considered to be a subarctic climate while most of Newfoundland would be considered to have a humid continental climate, Dfb: Cool summer subtype.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Newfoundland and Labrador

According to the 2001 Canadian census, [1] the largest ethnic group in Newfoundland and Labrador is English (39.4%), followed by Irish (19.7%), Scottish (6.0%), French (5.5%), and First Nations (3.2%). While half of all respondents also identified their ethnicity as "Canadian," 38% report their ethnicity as "Newfoundlander" in a 2003 StatsCan Ethnic Diversity Survey.[19]

1897 Newfoundland postage stamp, the first in the world to feature mining.

Population since 1951

Year Population Five Year
 % change		 Ten Year
 % change		 Rank Among
Provinces
1951 361,416 n/a n/a 9
1956 415,074 14.8 n/a 9
1961 457,853 10.3 26.7 9
1966 493,396 7.8 18.9 9
1971 522,100 5.8 14.0 9
1976 557,720 6.8 13.0 9
1981 567,681 1.8 8.7 9
1986 568,350 0.1 1.9 9
1991 568,475 0.02 0.1 9
1996 551,790 -2.9 -2.9 9
2001 512,930 -7.0 -9.8 9
2006* 505,469 -0.6 -7.6 9

*Preliminary 2006 census estimate.

Source: Statistics Canada[20][21]

Language

The 2006 census returns showed a population of 505,469.
Of the 499,830 singular responses to the census question concerning 'mother tongue' the languages most commonly reported were:

Rank Language Respondents Percentage
1. English 488,405 97.7%
2. French 1,885 0.4%
3. Montagnais-Naskapi 1,585 0.3%
4. Chinese 1,080 0.2%
5. Spanish 670 0.1%
6. German 655 0.1%
7. Inuktitut 595 0.1%
8. Urdu 550 0.1%
9. Arabic 540 0.1%
10. Dutch 300 0.1%
11. Russian 225 < 0.1%
12. Italian 195 < 0.1%

Figures shown above are for the number of single language responses and the percentage of total single-language responses. There were also 435 responses of both English and a 'non-official language'; 30 of both French and a 'non-official language'; 295 of both English and French; 10 of English, French and a 'non-official language'; and about 14,305 people who either did not respond to the question, or reported multiple non-official languages, or else gave some other unenumerated response.[22]

Religion

The largest denominations by number of adherents according to the 2001 census were the Roman Catholic Church with 187,405 (37 %); the Anglican Church of Canada with 132,680 (26 %); and the United Church of Canada with 187,450 (20 %).[23]

Industry and economy

All currency is in Canadian dollars.

In 2005 the gross domestic product (GDP) of Newfoundland and Labrador was approximately fourteen billion dollars.[24] Service industries accounted for over $8 billion with financial services, health care and public administration being the top three contributors. Other significant industries are mining, oil production and manufacturing. The total workforce in 2005 was 215,000 persons.[24]

Traditional industries include mining, logging, fishery and forest-based industries (sawmills and paper mills).

Mining and oil production

Mines in Labrador, the iron ore mine at Wabush/Labrador City, and the new nickel mine in Voisey's Bay produced a total of $2.5 billion worth of ore in 2006. A new mine at Duck Pond (30 kilometers (18 mi) south of the now-closed mine at Buchans), started producing copper, zinc, silver and gold in 2007 and prospecting for new ore bodies continues.[25] Mining accounted for 3.5% of the provincial GDP in 2006.[24] The province produces 55% of Canada’s total iron ore.[26] Quarries producing dimension stone such as slate and granite, account for less than $10 million worth of material per year.[27]

Oil production from offshore oil platforms on Hibernia, White Rose Terra Nova oil fields on the Grand Banks was 110 million barrels which contributed 15% of the provinces GDP in 2006. Total production from the Hibernia field from 1997 to 2006 was 733 million barrels with an estimated value of $36 billion. This will increase with the inclusion of the latest project, Hebron. Remaining reserves are estimated at almost 2 billion barrels as of December 31, 2006. Exploration for new reserves is ongoing.[24]

Fishing and aquaculture

The fishing industry remains an important part of the provincial economy, employing 26,000 and contributing over $440 million to the GDP. The combined harvest of fish such as cod, haddock, halibut, herring and mackerel was 150,000 tonnes (165,000 tons) valued at about $130 million in 2006. Shellfish, such as crab, shrimp and clams, accounted for 195,000 tonnes (215,000 tons) with a value of $316 million in the same year. The value of products from the seal hunt was $55 million.[24]

Aquaculture is a new industry for the province, which in 2006 produced over 10,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon, mussels and steelhead trout worth over $50 million.[24]

Manufacturing

Newsprint is produced by paper mills in Grand Falls, (capacity of 210,000 tonnes (230,000 tons) per year) and Corner Brook, (capacity of 420,000 tonnes (462,000 tons) per year).[28] The value of newsprint exports varies greatly from year to year, depending on the global market price. Lumber is produced by numerous mills in Newfoundland.

Apart from seafood processing, paper manufacture and oil refining,[29] manufacturing in the province consists of smaller industries producing food,[30] brewing and other beverage production, and footware.[31]

Agriculture

Agriculture in Newfoundland is limited to areas south of St. John's, near Deer Lake and in the Codroy Valley. Potatoes, rutabagas, known locally as "turnips", carrots and cabbage are grown for local consumption. Poultry, eggs and pork are also produced. Wild blueberries, partridge berries and bakeapples are harvested commercially and used in jams and wine making.[32]

Tourism

Tourism is a significant part of the economy. In 2006 nearly 500,000 non-resident tourists visited Newfoundland and Labrador, spending an estimated $366 million.[24]

Provincial symbols

Current Newfoundland and Labrador licence plate
Provincial Symbols
Official Flower Purple Pitcher Plant
Official Tree Black Spruce
Official Bird Atlantic Puffin
Official Animal Caribou
Official Game Bird Ptarmigan
Official Mineral Labradorite
Official Dog(s) Newfoundland dog & Labrador Retriever
Provincial Anthem Ode to Newfoundland
Provincial Holiday June 24, Discovery Day
Patron Saint St. John the Baptist
Official tartan
Newfoundland.jpg
Great Seal
Coat of arms
NFLarms.jpg
Escutcheon
Coat of arms of Newfoundland and Labrador.svg
Provincial Wordmark

Notable people

Main article: Category:People from Newfoundland and Labrador
See also: List of people of Newfoundland and Labrador and Category:Pre-Confederation Newfoundland and Labrador people

Music

Main article: Music of Newfoundland and Labrador

See also

References

  • Atlas of Newfoundland and Labrador by Department of Geography Memorial University of Newfoundland, Breakwater Books Ltd; ISBN 1-55081-000-6; (1991)
  • G.J. Casey and Elizabeth Miller, eds., Tempered Days: A Century of Newfoundland Fiction St. John's: Killick Press, 1996.
  • Karl Mcneil Earle; "Cousins of a Kind: The Newfoundland and Labrador Relationship with the United States" American Review of Canadian Studies Vol: 28. Issue: 4. 1998. pp : 387-411.
  • C. R. Fay; Life and Labour in Newfoundland University of Toronto Press, 1956
  • Lawrence Jackson, Newfoundland & Labrador Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd; ISBN 1-55041-261-2; (1999)
  • Gene Long, Suspended State: Newfoundland Before Canada Breakwater Books Ltd; ISBN 1-55081-144-4; (April 1, 1999)
  • R. A. MacKay; Newfoundland; Economic, Diplomatic, and Strategic Studies Oxford University Press, 1946
  • Patrick O'Flaherty, The Rock Observed: Studies in the Literature of Newfoundland University of Toronto Press, 1979
  • Joseph Smallwood ed. The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador St. John's: Newfoundland Book Publishers, 1981-, 2 vol.
  • This Marvelous Terrible Place: Images of Newfoundland and Labrador by Momatiuk et al., Firefly Books; ISBN 1-55209-225-9; (September 1998)
  • True Newfoundlanders: Early Homes and Families of Newfoundland and Labrador by Margaret McBurney et al., Boston Mills Pr; ISBN 1-55046-199-0; (June 1997)
  • Biogeography and Ecology of the Island of Newfoundland: Monographiae Biologicae by G. Robin South (Editor) Dr W Junk Pub Co; ISBN 90-6193-101-0; (April 1983)

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Statistics Canada. "Canada's population estimates 2008-06-25". Retrieved on 2008-06-25.
  2. ↑ Gross domestic product, expenditure-based, by province and territory
  3. ↑ The Daily, Thursday, May 15, 2008. Study: Resource boom in Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador
  4. ↑ Proclamation: Constitutional Amendment 2001 (Newfoundland and Labrador)
  5. ↑ Tuck, James A.. "Museum Notes - The Maritime Archaic Tradition". "The Rooms" Provincial museum. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  6. ↑ Renouf, M.A.P.. "Museum Notes - Palaeoeskimo in Newfoundland & Labrador". "The Rooms" Provincial museum. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  7. ↑ Hiller, J.K.. "Sponsored Settlement: The Colonization of Newfoundland". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  8. ↑ "Government and Politics". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  9. ↑ Janzen, Olaf. "The Military Aspects of the Wars". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  10. ↑ Cadigan, Sean. "The Second World War 1939-1945". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Bell, Trevor; Liverman, David. "Landscape (of Newfoundland and Labrador)". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Atlas of Canada: Sea islands". Natural Resources Canada (Government of Canada). Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "About Newfoundland and Labrador: Land Area". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  14. ↑ Bélanger, Claude. "Newfoundland Geography". Marianopolis College. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  15. ↑ "Location and Climate". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  16. ↑ "Atlas of Canada:Land and Freshwater Areas". Natural Resources Canada (Government of Canada). Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  17. ↑ "Report on the State of Conservation of Gros Morne National Park". Parks Canada. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  18. ↑ "Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Web Site: Climate". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  19. ↑ The Daily, Monday, September 29, 2003. Ethnic Diversity Survey
  20. ↑ StatCan 2001 Census - population
  21. ↑ Canada's population. Statistics Canada. Last accessed September 28, 2006.
  22. ↑ (2007). "Statistics Canada catalogue no. 97-555-XCB2006015".
  23. ↑ http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/Religion/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo=PR&View=1a&Code=10&Table=1&StartRec=1&Sort=2&B1=10&B2=All
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 "Economic Research and Analysis 2007". Economics and Statistics Branch, Department of Finance, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Office of the Queens Printer. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  25. ↑ "Buchans mine". Filing Services Canada Inc. Retrieved on 2006-06-17.
  26. ↑ Bell, Trevor; Liverman, David. "Mineral Resources". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  27. ↑ "Geological survey: Dimension stone in Newfoundland and Labrador". Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  28. ↑ "[http://www.economics.gov.nl.ca/E2003/forestry.asp The Economy 2003 - Newfoundland and Labrador Forestry and Agrifoods]". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  29. ↑ "Project Review". Newfoundland and Labrador Refining Corporation. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  30. ↑ "Purity Factories (Newfoundland food)". Retrieved on 2007-10-26.
  31. ↑ "Footware manufacture in Newfoundland". Retrieved on 2007-10-26.
  32. ↑ "Rodriques Winery". Retrieved on 2007-10-26.

External links

Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador Subdivisions of Newfoundland and Labrador
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