St. John’s Newfoundland is a fine city to visit, located on the northeast coast of the Avalon Peninsula in southeastern Newfoundland and on the Atlantic Ocean. When you get there, you’ll find yourself standing on the most easterly tip of North America. Gaze over the roaring ocean; see the strikingly vast coastline.
Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of a humpback whale feeding near shore. And most likely you’ll see many seabirds nesting. Drifting past you will be 10,000 year old icebergs. The dramatic landscape that unfolds around Newfoundland is very magnificent and very old.
In fact, in Gros Morne National Park, exposed rock has been found that is 1.25 billion years old – as old as the planet itself. And the mountains in this area are 20 times older than the Rockies of the United States!
With a population of just under 100,000, St. John’s is the second largest city in Atlantic Canada (after Halifax, Nova Scotia). It is the provincial capital and its location has made it a popular destination through the centuries for explorers, pirates and, more recently, cruise lines. It is still relatively new and undiscovered by tourists, which appeals to many people wanting to get away from the obvious ‘touristy’ locations.
Newfoundland has an abundance of clean air and fresh water, so while you’re in St. John’s be sure to spend enough time enjoying the outdoors. You and your family will be able to enjoy long walks, seaside picnics and exceptional bird watching opportunities along the rocky beaches. Hike, bike or kayak; or get out your fishing poles and try your hand at catching Atlantic salmon or brook trout.
Newfoundland has 186,411 miles of wilderness, and is the meeting place of the world’s largest ocean currents. It’s an amazing place!
The province is home to wildlife such as moose, black bears and the largest caribou herd in the world. It’s said that 35 million seabirds gather in this province each year to nest.
Because of its rich history, St. John's abounds with historic sites. One that is a must see is the Cabot Tower at Signal Hill National Historic Site, St. John's most visible landmark. Along the beach of Petty Harbor, weathered boats, wharves and intriguing sheds on stilts can be found. Offshore, whale watching and personal boat tours are available that you’ll want to make time for, weather permitting.
Nightlife in St. John's is also a must-see. Here’s a little-known fact (outside of St. John’s): George Street in downtown St. John's has the most bars per square foot in North America!
Head on out for a fun evening on George Street, where traffic is closed to vehicles during the evening so that bar hoppers can safely roam from pub to pubs like Lottie’s Place, The Rob Roy Pub, Jungle Jim’s, The Black Dog Pub and the like.
Newfoundlanders are proud of their international reputation as a friendly and hospitable people. You’ll not mistake the remarkable Newfoundlander energy that you find here. Perhaps it’s no coincidence then that St. John's continuously has one of the lowest crime rates in Canada.
St. John's economy has been continuously connected both to its role as a regional/national/provincial capital and to the ocean. Today, its continued growth is as much tied to what lies beneath the ocean - oil and gas.
The city's economy is growing quickly, and the city has been identified as having one of the highest proportion of scientists and engineers per capita of any city under one million population in North America.
Newfoundland and Labrador's economy has traditionally been based on exploitation and export of natural resources, although it has become much more diversified. Manufacturing has grown, and service and communications-related activities have become the most important component of the economy.
Historically, the fisheries were the province's chief industry, and until the early 20th century they were virtually the only activity. The fisheries, although having diminished significantly as a source of provincial wealth, have remained the main economic base for hundreds of coastal villages and towns.
