NEWFOUNDLAND

NEWFOUNDLAND is a Canadian island. It is situated at the mouth of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, North America; is about one-eighth larger than Ireland, and triangular in shape, the northern apex running close in to the coast of Labrador; inland the country is bleak, sparsely populated, and ill cultivated; lakes and rivers abound; the deeply indented coast provides excellent harbourage for the large fishing fleets that frequent it; minerals are found, including coal, iron, lead, and copper; agriculture and timber-felling are on the increase, but the fisheries - cod, salmon, herring, and seal - form the staple industry; the climate is more temperate than in Canada, although, subject to fogs. ST. JOHNS is the capital.

It was the oldest island colony of Britain.

It was discovered in 1497 by John Cabot, seized by the English in 1583, and finally ceded to Britain by the French (who retained certain fishing rights) in 1713. Newfoundland joined Canada on March 31, 1949.

Newfoundland possesses a responsible government, consisting of a popularly elected Assembly. From 2001, the name of the province is Newfoundland and Labrador.