Labrador Skies of Newfoundland
Labrador is the northerly region within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It makes up the mainland portion of province, separated from the island of Newfoundland, by the Strait of Belle Isle. The region is the largest and northernmost part of Atlantic Canada.
Labrador, Newfoundland, the size of the state of Colorado, occupies the eastern section of the Labrador Peninsula. The area is bordered to the west and the south by Quebec. Labrador shares a small land border with the Canadian territory of Nunavut on Killiniq Island. Although Labrador has twice as large an area as the island of Newfoundland, the region is home to just 6% of the province’s population. The people of Labrador include the Inuit, Innu and Metis Aboriginal groups, as well as generations of European immigrants.
Labrador, Newfoundland has a large, irregular shape that encompasses the easternmost section of the Canadian Shield (a sweeping region of thin soil and abundant mineral resources). Its western border with Quebec is the drainage divide of the Labrador Peninsula. Lands drained by rivers that flow into the Atlantic Ocean are part of Labrador and lands drained by rivers that flow into Hudson Bay are part of Quebec.
Regions
Labrador is divided into four geographical regions.
. North Coast (with the Torngat Mountains National Park)
. Central Labrador (the most populous region)
. Western Labrador (Labrador City and Wabush make up Labrador West.)
. South Coast (with numerous tiny fishing communities)
The Wonderstrands, miles of sandy white beaches at the mouth of the Hamilton Inlet, were mentioned in the ancient Viking sagas. The south coast is also known for its Labrador seagrass and icebergs that pass by the coast via the Labrador Current.
Facts and Figures
. The largest towns in Labrador (according to the 2006 census) are Happy Valley-Goose Bay - 7,572, Labrador City - 7,240, Wabush - 1,739, Nain - 1,034, L'Anse-au-Loup – 593, Cartwright – 552, Hopedale – 530, North West River – 492, Port Hope Simpson – 529, and Forteau – 448.
. Mount Caubvik (1,652 meters - 5,420 ft) is Labrador’s highest point.
. Labrador’s longest river is the Churchill River.
. Northern Labrador is classified as a polar tundra climate and Southern Labrador is considered a subarctic climate.
. Labrador is home to many bird habitats – seashore, estuarine, and tundra.
. Berry picking (especially the bakeapple or cloudberry, as well as blackberries and partridgeberries) is a common and traditional pastime in Labrador.
Attractions
- Battle Harbour Heritage Properties
Battle Harbour was the centre of the southeastern Labrador economy for two centuries. In the 1770s, a saltfish premises was established in the community. Commander Robert E. Peary, an American explorer who claimed to be the first man to visit the North Pole, visited Battle Harbour. In 1909, Peary used the Marconi Station wireless services to tell the world about his trek to the North Pole.
Now Battle Harbour has been restored to its original glory with historic structures, walkways, and work areas. One of the restored historic structures is the Church of St. James the Apostle - the oldest surviving Anglican church in Labrador. The historic premises are open from mid-June to mid-October.
- Red Bay National Historic Site of Canada
The Red Bay National Historic Site of Canada (open daily, June 1-Oct 8, 9:00 am-6:00 pm) remembers 16th century Basque whaling. Red Bay was one of the significant whaling ports. Tourists can learn about whaling at the Visitors Interpretation Centre or take a tour of the archaeological sites on Saddle Island. Visitors can even see personal items belonging to the Basque whalers.
- Point Amour Lighthouse
The Point Amour Lighthouse, a Provincial Historic Site near L’Anse Amour, is the tallest lighthouse (109 feet from ground to light) in the province and the second tallest in Canada. Point Amour is a strategic location for shipping through the Strait of Belle Isle. The lightstation is near the L'Anse Amour Maritime Archaic burial mound - the oldest known funeral monument in the New World. Every year, thousands of tourists climb to the top of the tower to view the exhibits and restored rooms of the former lightkeeper’s residence.
Festivals and Events
Labrador’s festivals celebrate its bounty - crab, shrimp, cod, bakeapples, and more.
- Mary’s Harbour Crab Festival – August 6-August 8
Mary’s Harbour Crab Festival celebrates the area’s crab fishery. With barbecues, fun, prizes, and the crowing of the crab king and queen, everyone has a good time at the Mary’s Harbour Crab Festival.
- Bakeapple Festival – August 6- August 8
An annual Bakeapple Festival is held at L’Anse au Loup. This festival celebrates the tasty Labrador berry – the bakeapple. With bakeapple delicacies, local craft displays, and a folk festival, the people of L’Anse au Loup honor their traditions and culture.
- Golden Cod Festival – August 13-August 14
This two-day festival in Williams Harbour celebrates their unique species of cod – the golden cod - in Gilbert Bay. The Marine Protected Area of Gilbert Bay is a narrow inlet on Labrador’s southeast coast. A significant number of the community’s population (3000) are Métis (aboriginal people of Inuit and European descent). The Golden Cod Festival includes indoor and outdoor events with lots of delicious food and local entertainment.
- Charlottetown Shrimp Festival – August 17-August 18
The Charlottetown Festival is an annual festival with the Blessing of the Fleet, a traditional breakfast, children’s games, and water sports including seadooing and water skiing. The festival has opening and closing ceremonies and ends with a community dance.
- International Lighthouse Day – August 20
International Lighthouse Day is celebrated on August 20. In recognition of the occasion, the Point Amour Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site, the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada, will be hosting an afternoon of fun including a scavenger hunt, craft activities, and lighthouse-themed competitions.
.jpg)
Real Adventures
Labrador, Newfoundland offers real adventure to its visitors. Tour companies provide various adventure tours such as trouting trips to the remote Labrador interior. Tourists can fish near a lodge or travel 10-15 miles up the river system on all-day excursions. Shore lunches will most likely be that pan-fried trout over an open fire.
For those who like a challenge, nature treks can take you to the north coast of rugged Labrador. The trek can include day hikes through fiord lands, tundra, and taiga or traversing the Torngat Mountains into Quebec and back to Labrador. Travellers can camp under the stars or the Northern Lights (a natural phenomenon of light displays, admired by all, used by some to predict weather, and seen by the Inuit as a spiritual sign).
Labrador Motto: Munus splendidum mox explebitur (Latin)
"The splendid task will soon be fulfilled"
