Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador are made up of an island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the eastern portion of the Canadian mainland. The province joined the Confederation in 1949 and is the newest. With an area of 405,720 square kilometers (156,652 square miles), the province is more than three times the total area of all the Maritime Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island).

Newfoundland, also known as The Rock, is the easternmost area of Canada and was also one of the first areas of Canada to be settled by Europeans. In the area near St. Anthony, in the Great Northern Peninsula, there is evidence of a Viking settlement that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site settlement dating back five centuries before Columbus landed in the New World. You'll find the towns of Goobies, Come-by-Chance, and Dildo. One tradition to initiate new Newfoundlanders and welcome tourists, is to Screech them in. This fun ritual involves drinking a strong rum called screech, kissing a cod, and several other unusual activities.

Most Newfoundlander's lives are somehow tied to the sea, whether it's the cod fisheries or offshore-oil drilling on the Grand Banks. Most people own boats that are usually painted as brightly as their houses.

St. John's is the largest city on the Island of Newfoundland and is the oldest and eastern-most city in North America. St. John's is located on the southeastern coast of the island, on the Avalon Peninsula and was built on the hills surrounding the harbor. The streets are reminiscent of a European town. St. John's is also the site of Signal Hill where Guglielmo Marconi, in 1901, received his first transatlantic wireless signal.

For the rambunctious, you might want to take a stroll down George Street's cobbles. The street is covered with nightclubs and Old World pubs, and you can find live music of all sorts: Irish, country, dance, rock, and traditional Newfoundlander music.

The Burin Peninsula is located on Fortune Bay on the south coast. The area has been catching, producing, and marketing fish since the 1500s. This quaint little area has little in the way of modern society. There are few fast-food places. The only bank machine in the area is a 45-minute drive. Everything is still done in person. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is friendly. The area is also the launching point for ships to the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon – the only area of North American that is still part of France – so keep your Euros handy!

Labrador is a whole different ball game. Known as Big Land, Labrador is a vast, friendly place with tremendous promise and opportunity. Trophy-sized fish, giant caribou herds, and world-class wilderness country are all standard fare here. It's one of the last great wilderness areas on the face of the earth. Labrador is not a run-of-the-mill destination – It's a great adventure.

The major community in Labrador is Happy Valley-Goose Bay with a population of 7,969, mostly a mix of Aboriginal and European. From skiing to hiking to camping, the great outdoors is at its greatest in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Explore the forests, mountains, and lakes of one of Canada's last remaining untapped resources of natural wealth and beauty. Hike, bike, or ski on one of the many trails in the area.

If you are looking for a change of pace, a relaxed and friendly environment where you don't have to lock your doors, Newfoundland and Labrador is the place.

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