Newfoundland and Labrador

In 1497, an explorer John Cabot discovered a new land which he named "Newe Founde Launde". Cabot claimed this new land for England. Many people believe that Cabot landed on the island of Newfoundland.

The land to the north was originally called "Terra del Lavradors" by Portuguese explorers and fishermen. It later became known as Labrador.

The Province of Newfoundland includes the island of Newfoundland as well as Labrador on the mainland. It is made up of two separate and important regions, our government calls itself the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Many people also use that term as the name for our province. St John's, being the largest urban centre and chief port in the province, is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In summer, both Newfoundland and Labrador switch to daylight savings time. Labrador is divided into two time zones. There is a difference of ½ hour in southern Labrador and northern Labrador. Communities in southern Labrador are in the Newfoundland time zone and communities north of Black Tickle are in the Atlantic time zone. Newfoundland and Labrador is a part of the Atlantic Provinces along with New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

Most of the coastal areas of the Province are deeply indented with long, narrow inlets called fjords. 'Fjords' or 'fiords' is a Norwegian term for a long, narrow inlet of the sea formed by flooding of a glaciated valley.