Newfoundland History and Facts

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In 1001, The Vikings were the first known European settlers to Newfoundland via Iceland, Greenland, the Baffin Island and eventually on to Labrador and Newfoundland. They named it "Markland" or "Land of Forest" and settled in L'Anse aux Meadows.

In 1497, John Cabot arrived in Newfoundland and made landfall at Bonavista. Here he set up the flag of England and claimed the land as a British colony for his leader Henry VIII.

Later Portuguese came to Newfoundland for the fishing. In 1534 Jacques Cartier circumnavigated the Island; and in 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert reaffirmed the ownership of Britain when he claimed Newfoundland for Queen Elizabeth II.

The first colony was established at Cupids in 1610. It was established by an English royal charter with John Guy as its first governor.

Being located by the Grand Banks with it's abundance of fish, Newfoundland Labrador routinely was inhabited during the summer for fishing and trading ships from Portugal, Spain, France and England. In the fall, before the long, Northern winters, the ships returned with large cargoes of fish.

Eventually, people started braving the cold winters and staying all year in Newfoundland Labrador; they were named "livyers" because they lived here all year. These European immigrants brought their knowledge, beliefs, loyalties and prejudices with them. They built a new society that was unlike the ones they had left and was different than those built on the mainland. As a fish-exporting society, Newfoundland was in contact with many places around the world; however, its geographic location and political distinctiveness also isolated it from its closest neighbors in Canada and the United States. The livyers were spread around a rugged coastline in small outport settlements (called outports) located a long distance from larger cities and isolated for long periods by winter ice or bad weather. Many of these outports are still not connected to the provincial or Canadian highway system but only accessible through ferries and boats during the season. These unique conditions generated new customs, beliefs, stories, songs, and dialects.

The First World War had a powerful and lasting effect on the country of Newfoundland Labrador. From a population of about a quarter of a million, 5,482 men went overseas. Nearly 1,500 were killed and 2,300 wounded. On July 1, 1916, at Beaumont-Hamel, France, 753 men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment went over the top of a trench. The casualties were staggering; the next morning, only 68 men answered the roll-call. Even now, when the rest of Canada celebrates the founding of the country on July 1, many Newfoundlanders take part in solemn ceremonies of remembrance.

During the Second World War, Newfoundland played a pivotal role early in WWII where convoys were formed for their trip across the Atlantic to deliver men and essential goods to the Allied Forces. Many Allied bases were created and many servicepeople were stationed here.

Newfoundland was the first country to pay off its massive war debt from these wars; and that honor left the country practically financially destitute which was a pre-cursor to being returned to the power of the Monarchy and later to becoming a Canadian province.

Although Newfoundland is Britian's first colony, it is also Canada's youngest province. Until 1949, it held the status of being it's own country. That year, the population voted by a narrow margin to join Canada, whose history, economy, culture and political institutions were significantly different.

The History of Newfoundland and Labrador has been one of struggle and hardship, but also one of courage and happiness. Early settlers found a land of beauty and freedom and one that they were proud of.

Time Zone

Newfoundland, Greenwich minus 3½

Atlantic, Greenwich minus 4

Square Miles

43,359

113,641

Fresh Water

5,419 sq. mi. (14,035 sq. km)

9,901 sq. mi. (25,643 sq. km)

Population

485,066

30,000

Persons

11 per. sq. Mile

3¾ square miles per person

Average °F.

37.0°F (2.80°C) - St. John's

24.0°F (4.44°C) - Wabush

Joined Country

March 31, 1949

Highest Peak

Gros Morne, 2,540 feet

Mount Caubvick - 5,577 ft.

Coastal Land

9,656 km(6,000 mi)

1,609 km (1,000 mi)

Fjords

Western Brook Pond,

Nachvak, 3,500 feet

Flower

Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia Purpurea)(eats insects)

Tree

Black Spruce (Picea Mariana)

Game Bird

Partridge or Ptarmigan (Lagopus)

Bird

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula Arctica)

Snowy Owl (unofficial)

Gemstone

Labradorite

Song

Ode to Newfoundland

Labrador

Lyrics by

Governor Sir Cavendish Boyle

H. L. Paddon

Music by

Sir Hubert Parry

Traditional

Nickname

The Rock

The Big Land

Industries

Transportation, Manufacturing, Mining, Fishing

Mining, Hydroelectricity, Fishing

Motto

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God - Matthew 6:33 and/or Luke 12:31