| Newfoundland Tricolour Flag (unofficial) | |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Area: | 111,390 km² |
| Water area: | 7,797 km² |
| Coastline: | 9,656 km |
| Highest Point: | The Cabox 814 m |
| Longest River: | Exploits River 246 km |
| Admin HQ: | St. John's, Newfoundland |
| Demographics | |
| Population (2006): | 505,409. |
| Major Ethnic Groups : | Irish, English, Some Scottish and French |
| Largest City: | St. John's 100,646 (city) 181,113 (metro) (2006) |
| Politics | |
| Government of Newfoundland & Labrador blank">http://www.gov.nl.ca | |
| Members of the _House of Commons: | 6 (of 7 in NL and 308 total) |
| Members of the Canadian Senate: | 6 (of 6 in NL and 105 total) |
| Members of the House of Assembly: | 44 (of 48 total) |
Newfoundland — (Terre-Neuve, Talamh an Éisc) is a large island off the east coast of North America, and the most populous part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The island of Newfoundland (originally called Terra Nova) was named by the Italian John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) on his expedition from Bristol, England in 1497. The province where this island is located was also called "Newfoundland" until 2001, when its name was changed to "Newfoundland and Labrador" (the postal abbreviation was later changed from NF to NL).
Some believe Newfoundland might be the island called Vinland as referenced in Norse documents, but since Vinland's location has yet to be verified this remains a matter of considerable debate.
The island of Newfoundland is separated from the Labrador Peninsula by the Strait of Belle Isle and from Cape Breton Island by the Cabot Strait. It blocks the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River, creating the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the world's largest estuary. Newfoundland's nearest neighbour is the tiny French overseas community of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
With an area of 108,860 square kilometers (41,700 sq mi) Newfoundland is the world's 16th largest island, and Canada's fourth-largest island. Newfoundland and its associated small islands have a total area of 111,390 square kilometers (43,008 sq mi). The provincial capital, St. John's, is located on the southeastern coast of the island. Cape Spear, just south of the capital, is North America's easternmost point. The island of Newfoundland has a population (2001) of 466,172. However, it is common to consider all directly neighbouring islands such as New World, Twillingate, Fogo and Bell Island to be 'part of Newfoundland' (as distinct from Labrador). By that measure, the population is (2001) 485,066
Newfoundland has a dialect of English known as Newfoundland English and a dialect of French known as Newfoundland French. It once had a dialect of Irish known as Newfoundland Irish, as well as an Amerindian language, Beothuk. Today it is said that 80% of inhabitants of Newfoundland have 1 or 2 parents of Irish descent.
