Newfoundland and Labrador Map

Description: This map shows cities, towns, province capital, islands, rivers, lakes, highways, and major roads in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, composed of the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador. The province joined the Canadian Confederation on March 31, 1949, becoming Canada's tenth province. It is the youngest province in Canada and was the last to join Confederation.

Geography

The province covers an area of approximately 405,212 square kilometers, making it the tenth-largest subdivision by area in Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador consists of two distinct geographical regions: the island of Newfoundland, located in the Atlantic Ocean, and Labrador, which is attached to the mainland of North America. The Strait of Belle Isle separates the island from Labrador to the north.

The province's coastline is highly irregular and extends for approximately 17,540 kilometers. The landscape is characterized by rugged terrain, numerous fjords, bays, and inlets. The interior regions feature boreal forests, barren lands, and numerous lakes and rivers.

Demographics and Major Cities

As of 2025, the population of Newfoundland and Labrador was approximately 549,911, making it the ninth-most populous province in Canada. The capital and largest city is St. John's, located on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland. St. John's is the most easterly city in North America and serves as the economic, cultural, and administrative center of the province.

Other significant population centers include Mount Pearl, Corner Brook, Conception Bay South, and Paradise. The majority of the population resides on the island of Newfoundland, with a smaller population distributed throughout Labrador. The province has experienced population decline in recent decades due to outmigration, particularly among younger residents seeking employment opportunities elsewhere.

Economy

Historically, the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador was heavily dependent on the cod fishery, which collapsed in 1992 due to overfishing. The province's economy has since diversified significantly. The offshore oil and gas industry has become a major economic driver, with significant production from fields such as Hibernia, Terra Nova, and Hebron.

Mining represents another crucial sector, with significant iron ore production in Labrador, particularly from the Labrador Trough. The province also produces nickel, copper, and gold. Hydroelectricity generation, especially from the Churchill Falls facility in Labrador, contributes substantially to the economy, though most of the power is exported to Quebec under a long-term contract.

Tourism has grown in importance, with visitors attracted to the province's natural beauty, icebergs, whale watching, and cultural heritage sites such as L'Anse aux Meadows, the only authenticated Norse settlement in North America.

History

The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, first by indigenous peoples including the Beothuk on the island and the Innu and Inuit in Labrador. European contact began around 1000 CE with Norse explorers who established a settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows. Permanent European settlement began in the early 16th century, primarily by English and Irish fishermen.

Newfoundland operated as a British colony and later as a self-governing dominion until 1934, when financial difficulties during the Great Depression led to the suspension of self-government and the establishment of the Commission of Government. Following two referendums in 1948, the territory narrowly voted to join Canada, officially becoming a province in 1949. Labrador, which had been governed separately as part of Quebec until 1927, was incorporated into the new province.

Climate

The climate varies significantly between the island and Labrador. Newfoundland experiences a cool maritime climate influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the Labrador Current, which brings cold water and icebergs southward. Summers are cool and winters are relatively mild compared to other Canadian regions at similar latitudes, though the weather is highly variable and precipitation is abundant throughout the year.

Labrador has a more continental climate with greater temperature extremes, particularly in the interior regions. Winters are long and harsh, while summers are short and cool. Coastal Labrador is influenced by the Atlantic but still experiences colder conditions than the island of Newfoundland.

List of the Largest Cities and Towns in Newfoundland and Labrador

Main sights in Newfoundland and Labrador

Major Rivers of Newfoundland and Labrador

List of the Largest Lakes of Newfoundland and Labrador

References