Fortune Bay facts for kids
Fortune Bay (in French: baie Fortune) is a very large natural bay. It is found on the south coast of Newfoundland, Canada. This bay is part of the big Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It stretches for about 105 kilometers (65 miles) from its entrance to a town called Terrenceville.
The bay's entrance is between Point Crewe on the Burin Peninsula and Pass Island. This entrance is about 56 kilometers (35 miles) wide. Inside Fortune Bay, you can find many smaller bays and coves. Some of these include Connaigre Bay, Great Bay de l'Eau, Belle Bay, and Long Harbour.
There are also several islands within the bay. The biggest one is Brunette Island. Other islands you might find are Sagona Island, Great Island, St. John's Island, Chapel Island, and Petticoat Island.
What's in a Name?
The name Fortune Bay likely comes from the Portuguese word fortuna. This word means "good fortune" or "luck." It is one of the oldest names still used in Newfoundland. The name first appeared on a map made by Majollo way back in 1527.
A special time period in Earth's history is named after Fortune Bay. This period is called the Fortunian stage. It is part of the Cambrian Period, a very old time when many new types of life appeared. The main place where scientists study this time period is near the town of Fortune.
Towns and Villages
Many communities are located along the shores of Fortune Bay. These towns and villages are home to people who often work in fishing or other ocean-related jobs. Here are some of the settlements you can find:
- Terrenceville
- Bay L'Argent
- Little Harbour East
- Harbour Mille
- St. Bernard's
- Jacques Fontaine
- Grand le Pierre
- English Harbour East
- Rencontre East
- Pool's Cove
- Belleoram
- English Harbour West
- Harbour Breton
- Bay d'Est
- Little Bay East
