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Gavin Lent
Professor Sparrow
GEOG 1125
23 April 2018
Newfoundland
Newfoundland belongs to the Canadian province Newfoundland and Labrador, it is an
island in the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of North America. Newfoundland is Canada’s
third largest exporter of fish, and also obtains large oil fields. The Island is recognized as the
home of beautiful bluffs, historical landmarks, and rich culture. Newfoundland is the world’s
sixteenth largest island, and is the largest island belonging to Canada. Newfoundland is North
America’s second most eastern point next to Greenland. The province is claimed by British-Irish
ancestry due to the land being formally claimed by England. The island is so unique that it even
has its own time zone. Newfoundland time is 90 minutes ahead of Eastern time and 30 min
ahead of Atlantic time. On this large island 40% of the entire population lives in the capital city,
St. Johns. St. Johns is known for being a natural port city, and creative outlet for chefs and
artists. Newfound land has deep rich history and has also grown to show new urban life.
Newfoundland was initially inhabited by the Dorset culture and today holds the largest
number of Dorset archeological sites. The Dorset were a paleo-eskimo tribe that navigated the
rivers and gulf. The Dorsets survived by means of fishing, hunting, and gathering. The island was
initially discovered by voyager John Cabot in 1497. In 1853 Humphrey Gilbert, under the regime
of Queen Elizabeth the I, claimed Newfoundland as England’s first overseas colony. These
European immigrants consisted of English, Scots, Irish, and French. They were responsible for
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building a society in the new world. The first initial use of the island was for fish exporting.
Newfoundland gained its independence in 1934 by the Dominion of Newfoundland. de facto.
Newfoundland took a very long time before deciding to join the Canadian Confederation.
Newfoundland and Labrador finally joined the rest of the Canadian provinces in 1949. The
capital of Newfoundland, St. Johns, is considered the oldest capital in Canada existing today.
The geography of Newfoundland is very unique. The island’s formation is a result from
sliding tectonic plates, where it’s neighbor Labrador is composed of ancient metamorphic rock.
The Island in shape is fairly triangular with a square area of 111,390 feet. The island of
Newfoundland is separated from Labrador by the Strait of Belle Isle. The biosphere of
Newfoundland is divided into two different biomes, tundra, and taiga. Newfoundland does not
