Capital: St. John's
Motto: Quaetrite Prime Regnum Dei (Seek ye first the Kingdom of God)
Flower: Pitcher Plant
Population 1998: 538,832

The Land

The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador consists of two major geographical areas; the island of Newfoundland, and Labrador on the Canadian mainland. They are divided by the Strait of Belle Isle, in the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. The province occupies a mid-latitude position between 46º 35' and 60º 23' north. The mainland, Labrador, is bordered by northeastern Quebec and is approximately two and a half times as large as the island. Most of the island of Newfoundland lies below the 50th parallel. Located at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River the island is a large triangular-shaped area of some 112 000 km2. The island of Newfoundland is separated from the Canadian mainland by the Strait of Belle Isle in the north and by the wider Cabot Strait in the south.

The People

The province's present population of approximately 550 000 is largely descended from settlers from southwestern England and southern Ireland who immigrated to Newfoundland in the late 1700s and early 1800s. There is also a small but vibrant francophone population, perhaps reflecting France's early presence in the area. The pattern of settlement was mainly determined by the fishing industry, a population distribution that has persisted to this day. The Avalon Peninsula and northeastern Newfoundland, the traditional base for the fisheries, continue to be the most heavily populated areas.

Economy

Since its first settlement, Newfoundland and Labrador has been highly dependent on its resource sector. The province was initially settled because of its rich fishing grounds on the Grand Banks. The mainstay of the province's fishing industry was, at one time, the  ground fishery (primarily cod); however, other important catches are flounder, redfish, capelin, shrimp, and crab have replaced cod due to the closure of the ground fishery by the Federal Government as a conservation measure. Offshore oil development has since emerged in the past ten years with three fields curently in production. A concrete gravity based structure was established on the Hibernia field while the Terra Nova and White Rose fields utilize FPSO (floating production, storage, and offloading) vessels. Vast reserves of crude oil and natural gas remain under the sea bed ensuring long term economic longevity for Newfoundland and Labrador.

In addition to fish products and pulp and paper products, about half of the province's manufacturing gross domestic product comes from other resource and non-resource based manufacturing. Numerous companies are engaged in the manufacture of items such as boats, lumber, chemical and oil-based products, food and beverages, clothing and footwear. In total, the province shipped about $1.76 billion in manufactured products in 1998.

The discovery of the world's largest nickel reserve at Voisey's Bay in Labrador has also bolstered the provinces economy and this area of the province is also the site of some of the largest current and future hydro electric power generation sites in North America providing endless reserves of low cost electricity to major markets in eastern Canada and the atlantic seabord United States.

Area Highlights

The capital city area of St. John's is no different than any other urban centre in Canada offering modern residential neighborhoods with plenty of public open space, recreation, and other necessary ammenities. Heritage style properties can be found in the downtown core. A short drive of only 20 minutes from the downtown enables those seeking a lifestyle suited with country living and larger size lots to have it while maintaining close proximity to all urban ammenities. Many of these suburban communities offer views of the Atlantic Ocean and Conception Bay. There are also several residential areas with frontage on bodies of fresh water as well and again, only a short drive to the capital region. All styles of homes can be found here. Single and multi family; attached, detached, and semi-attached; townhome and condominium.

Transportation

Transportation is highly efficient with the Columbus Drive, Pitts Memorial Drive, Prince Philip Drive, Gushue Memorial Drive, and Conception Bay South By Pass. All of these major arteries and their connectors make navigating the metro area quite easy and provide access to the neighboring municipalities of Mount Pearl, Paradise, Conception Bay South, and surrounding communities of the North East Avalon.

St. John's International Airport provides domestic, national, and international flights to connections serving major cities around the world. Ferry service to mainland Canada is from the southwest corner of the island year round at Port aux Basques (approximately 8 hour crossing) with seasonal service (Spring through Fall) from Argentia on the south coast (approximately 14 hour crossing) to accomodate increased tourist traffic.

Education

Education opportunities abound with a public school system offering a challenging curriculum from grades K - 12. There are also two private schools in the capital city, St. Bonaventure's; a Jesuit facility, and Lakecrest. The College of the North Atlantic offers programs in skilled trades while the Marine Institute offers various programs in nautical sciences, aquaculture, fisheries, and naval orientation. Memorial University of Newfoundland is the largest university in eastern Canada with enrollment in excess of 17,000 in the Fall and Winter Semesters.

Shopping

Shopping affords all of the conveniences found in major urban centres in the country as well. Major food retailers such as Costco, Dominion (Loblaws), and Sobeys and leading retailers can be found in traditional style shopping malls and "big box store" power centres. There are currently three power centre style shopping areas in the region with two in opposite ends of St. John's and one in neighboring Mount Pearl.

Recreation and Leisure

Parks, walking trails, adventure tourism, whale watching, icebergs, cruise tours, sports facilities, soccer, rugby, baseball, slow and fast pitch softball, MUN Seahawks basketball and volleyball (mens and ladies), concerts, historic sites, hunting, fishing, kayaking, hiking, auto racing, art galleries, fine dining, and our famous fish n chips,; all served up in one of Canada's safest and most vibrant capital cities!!

When Sun-rays crown the pine-clad hills,
And Summer spreads her hand,
When silvern voices tune thy rills,
We love thee, smiling land.

When blinding storm gusts fret thy shore,
And wild waves lash thy strand,
Thro' sprindrift swirl and tempest roar,
We love thee, wind-swept land,
We love thee, we love thee,
We love thee, wind-swept land.
We love thee, we love thee,
We love thee, wind-swept land.

When spreads thy cloak of shimm'ring white,
At Winter's stern command,
Thro' shortened day and starlit night,
We love thee, frozen land,

As loved our fathers, so we love
Where once they stood we stand;
Their prayer we raise to Heaven above,
God guard thee, Newfoundland.
God guard thee, God guard thee
God guard thee Newfoundland.
God guard thee, God guard thee
God guard thee Newfoundland.