Newfoundland facts for kids
Newfoundland is a large island located off the east coast of Canada. It is part of the Canadian province called Newfoundland and Labrador. The main city on the island is St. John's, found on the northeast side. More than 500,000 people live here, and they are known as Newfoundlanders.
Newfoundland joined Canada on March 31, 1949, along with Labrador, which is on the mainland. There isn't a bridge or tunnel connecting Newfoundland to the rest of Canada. However, you can take a ferry from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia.
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Languages Spoken in Newfoundland
Most people in Newfoundland speak English. But you will also find French speakers on the island. They mostly live in the southwest areas.
In some parts of Newfoundland, people have a special accent. They also use unique words that are not common in standard English. There is even a dictionary of Newfoundland English to help you understand them!
A Look at Newfoundland's History
People first came to Newfoundland from other countries a long time ago. The Vikings from Norway were some of the earliest visitors. They settled in a place called L'Anse aux Meadows. This happened in the 16th century.
Later, people from countries like England, Portugal, France, and Ireland also arrived. They were drawn to the island because of the excellent fishing. The waters off the southeast coast were especially good for catching fish. The first people to settle Newfoundland were the Maritime Archaic peoples.
Over time, too many fish were caught. This means there are not as many fish left today. So, fishing is still done, but not as much as it used to be.
Resources and Industries
Besides fishing, cutting down trees has also been important for Newfoundland. There are paper mills, which are like factories that make paper, in some cities.
Mining is another big industry on the island. People dig for valuable minerals in places like the Voisey's Bay Mine. The province also has oil platforms, such as the Hebron platform, located offshore.
Images for kids
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The Long Range Mountains on Newfoundland's west coast are part of the Appalachian Mountains.
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An artwork showing the Maritime Archaic culture at the Port au Choix Archaeological Site.
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A drawing of the Inuit people of Labrador from around 1812.
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A Beothuk camp in Newfoundland, around the 18th century.
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A statue of John Cabot at Cape Bonavista. This is where Cabot is said to have landed in 1497.
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A plaque in St. John's about England's claim over Newfoundland.
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French forces attacking English settlements in Newfoundland in 1696.
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A French invasion of Newfoundland was stopped during the Battle of Signal Hill in 1762.
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Joey Smallwood signing the document for Newfoundland to join Canadian Confederation in 1948.
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A map showing how many people live in different parts of Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Fishing boats and lobster traps in Salvage, Newfoundland.
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The Hebron oil platform, before it was moved to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.
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The Voisey's Bay Mine is one of many mines in the province.
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An artist sketching St. John's harbour and skyline, around 1890.
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The Rooms is a cultural building that has the provincial art gallery.
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Michael Crummey is a writer from Newfoundland and Labrador.
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E. J. Pratt wrote poems about life by the sea and Canadian history.
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Mile One Centre is an indoor sports and event arena in St. John's.
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The Trans-Labrador Highway is the main road for Labrador.
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MV Atlantic Vision is a ship that provides ferry service to Newfoundland.
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See also
In Spanish: Terranova y Labrador para niños
