Avalon Peninsula Map

Description: This map shows cities, towns, villages, rivers, lakes, peaks, highways, major roads, secondary roads, and parks on Avalon Peninsula.

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The Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula on the southeastern coast of the island of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is the most populous region of the province and contains the capital city of St. John's. The peninsula is approximately 10,360 square kilometers in area and is connected to the main body of Newfoundland by the Isthmus of Avalon, a narrow strip of land about five kilometers wide.

Geography

The Avalon Peninsula roughly resembles a squared shape with several smaller sub-peninsulas extending from it, creating numerous bays and harbors. Major geographical features include Conception Bay to the north, Trinity Bay to the west, Placentia Bay to the southwest, and St. Mary's Bay to the southeast. Cape Race, located at the southeastern tip of the peninsula, is the closest point in North America to Europe and has historically been an important navigation landmark.

The terrain consists of rolling hills and coastal lowlands, with elevations rarely exceeding 200 meters. The landscape includes rocky coastlines, numerous small lakes, wetlands, and barrens. The peninsula's eastern coast features dramatic cliff formations and is subject to the full force of Atlantic storms.

Several smaller peninsulas extend from the main Avalon Peninsula, including the Burin Peninsula sometimes considered separately, Cape Shore, Cape Race, and Bay de Verde Peninsula. The peninsula contains Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America, located just south of St. John's.

Population and Communities

The Avalon Peninsula is home to approximately 270,000 people, representing more than half of the province's total population. The St. John's metropolitan area dominates, with a population exceeding 200,000. This concentration of population makes the Avalon Peninsula the economic, cultural, and political center of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In addition to St. John's, significant communities on the peninsula include Mount Pearl, Paradise, Conception Bay South, Torbay, and Portugal Cove-St. Philip's in the northeast region. On the southern coast, major towns include Placentia, which served as the French capital of Newfoundland until 1713, and Ferryland, one of the oldest European settlements in North America. The Codroy Valley, though actually located on a different peninsula, is sometimes discussed in conjunction with the Avalon due to its agricultural importance to the region.

Economy

The economy of the Avalon Peninsula is the most diversified in Newfoundland and Labrador. St. John's serves as the province's commercial and financial center, hosting the headquarters of major companies involved in offshore oil and gas, marine services, technology, and telecommunications. Memorial University of Newfoundland, located in St. John's, is the province's largest employer and a major research institution.

The offshore oil and gas industry maintains significant operations in St. John's, with many companies basing their administrative and logistical operations in the city while production occurs on offshore platforms. The port of St. John's serves as a major supply and service base for offshore activities.

Fishing and aquaculture remain important, particularly in smaller communities around the peninsula. Tourism is a growing sector, with attractions including Signal Hill, Cape Spear, the Newfoundland Railway heritage sites, and numerous historic communities. The region also supports a small agricultural sector, primarily dairy farming and vegetable production in the more fertile areas.

History

The Avalon Peninsula has the longest history of continuous European settlement in Canada. English settlement at Cuper's Cove (now Cupids) in Conception Bay was established in 1610 by John Guy, making it one of the first English colonies in North America. Ferryland was established as a colony by Sir George Calvert in 1621.

St. John's itself has been continuously occupied since at least the early 16th century, making it one of the oldest cities in North America. The harbor's strategic location and natural protection made it a valuable asset, leading to numerous conflicts between English and French forces during colonial wars. The peninsula served as a strategic military location during both World Wars, with significant military installations established around St. John's.

The name "Avalon" has uncertain origins but may derive from Avalon in Arthurian legend. The name was used by Sir George Calvert for his colony and eventually came to describe the entire peninsula.

Transportation and Infrastructure

The Avalon Peninsula has the most developed transportation infrastructure in the province. The Trans-Canada Highway crosses the Isthmus of Avalon and extends through the peninsula to St. John's. A network of provincial highways connects communities around the peninsula's coast.

St. John's International Airport, located approximately 10 kilometers from downtown St. John's, is the province's primary air transportation hub with connections to major Canadian cities, as well as international destinations. The port of St. John's is a major facility handling cargo, cruise ships, and serving as a base for offshore supply vessels. Ferry services connect Argentina on the western side of the peninsula to North Sydney, Nova Scotia, providing a marine link to mainland Canada.

Cultural Significance

The Avalon Peninsula holds significant cultural and historical importance for Newfoundland and Labrador. The region was the center of the English and Irish fishing traditions that shaped Newfoundland's culture. The distinctive Newfoundland English dialect, music, and folk traditions are strongly rooted in the peninsula's outport communities.

Several nationally significant historic sites are located on the peninsula, including Signal Hill National Historic Site, where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901, and Castle Hill National Historic Site in Placentia. The Colony of Avalon archaeological site in Ferryland provides insights into early 17th-century colonial life.

The Facts:

Largest city:	St. John's
Population:	271,878 (2021)
Area:	3,560 sq mi (9,221 sq km)
Coordinates:	47.29°N 53.35°W

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Main sights on Avalon Peninsula