Newfoundland and Labrador

• the easternmost province in Canada
• makes up only 4.06% of Canada's area
• coastline stretches over more than 17,000 kilometres
• provincial capital St. John's
• provincial flower Pitcher Plant
• provincial bird Common Puffin
• Newfoundland has its own time zone, the Newfoundland Time Zone, and is 3.5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time
• Labrador is in the Atlantic Time Zone

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador consists of the island of Newfoundland, mainland Labrador and over seven thousand small islands. The province's total area is 405,720 square kilometres. Google Map

Located at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, the island of Newfoundland is roughly triangular, with each side approximately 400 kilometers, and a total area of 108,860 square kilometers. Newfoundland and its associated small islands have a total area of some 112,000 square kilometers.

Newfoundland is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Belle Isle in the north and by the wider Cabot Strait in the south. Most of the island of Newfoundland lies below the 50th parallel.

Labrador is bordered by northeastern Quebec and is approximately two and a half times as large as the island. It comprises 72.5 percent of the land area of the province, but contains only 5.3 percent of the population. Labrador's extreme northern tip shares a short border with Nunavut. Labrador's area (including associated small islands) is 294,330 square kilometers.

The Long Range Mountains on Newfoundland's west coast are the north easternmost extension of the Appalachian Mountains. Newfoundland has a rolling, rugged topography with much of the island as well as southern and central Labrador covered by thick boreal forest, broken by numerous lakes and swift-flowing rivers.

Lakes and Rivers - More than 8% of the area of the province of Newfoundland is occupied by lakes. This is slightly greater than the average for Canada. Artificial dams, such as those at Star Lake, Grand Lake, Red Indian Lake, and Grand Lake on the island's west coast, have enlarged other lakes. Newfoundland and Labrador also have many rivers. The main river in Labrador is the Churchill. Major rivers in Newfoundland include the Exploits and the Gander.

Climate - The island of Newfoundland enjoys winters that are surprisingly mild by Canadian standards, between 0°C (32°F)and -5°C (23°F), though with a high rate of precipitation throughout the year. The average summer temperature in Newfoundland is between 10°C and 20°C (50°F and 68°F).

Labrador, by comparison, has cold winters, between 10°C and -25°C (+50°F and 13°F), and brief summers with temperatures between 5°C and 15°C (41°F and 60°F). The climate can best be described as moderate and maritime.

The Atlantic Ocean, including storms, fog, strong and variable winds, heavy precipitation, and cold temperatures have an impact on the land and the people. As well, poor soil drainage, cold currents, offshore pack ice, and icebergs also have a major impact.

The north-south extent of the province, prevalent westerly winds, cold ocean currents and local factors such as mountains and coastline combine to create the various climates of the province. Northern Labrador is classified as a polar tundra climate, southern Labrador is considered to be a subarctic climate while most of Newfoundland is considered a humid continental climate.

See also

Birding Atlantic Canada

National Parks of Newfoundland and Labrador

Amphibians in Newfoundland & Labrador

Reptiles in Newfoundland & Labrador