About Newfoundland
and Labrador.

Let us introduce ourselves!

Welcome to Newfoundland and Labrador, a province located on the east coast of Canada. There is so much to love about this place, like our natural beauty, our welcoming people and our rich history and diverse culture.

Where is Newfoundland
and Labrador?

image description

We are the eastern-most province in Canada, located on the Atlantic Ocean. The province is made up of two parts – the island of Newfoundland, and the mainland region of Labrador.

We respectfully acknowledge the province of Newfoundland and Labrador as the ancestral homelands of many diverse populations of Indigenous people who have contributed to 9,000 years of history, including the Beothuk on the Island of Newfoundland. Today, this province is home to diverse populations of Indigenous people. We also acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit.

The island of Newfoundland is home to Cape Spear, where you can see the first sunrise in Canada, and our capital city, St. John’s, is the oldest city in North America.

Quick facts

Largest cities

  • St. John’s and Metro Area – population 212,579
  • Corner Brook – population 29,762
  • Gander – population 13,414
  • Grand Falls-Windsor – population 13,853
  • Happy Valley-Goose Bay – population 6,996
  • Labrador City – population 9,011
  • *Source: Census 2021

Population: 541,391

  • *Source: Statistics Canada April 2024

Time zones

  • Newfoundland Standard Time (UTC-03:30)
  • Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-04:00)
  • Note: The Labrador portion of the province operates on Atlantic Standard Time, except for the area on the coast from L’Anse au Clair to Cartwright which operates on Newfoundland Standard Time.

Vibrant, multicultural cities

Our population is constantly growing and diversifying with newcomers and international students. You will find people from all over the world living in communities throughout the province.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, everyone is free to enjoy their own religious and cultural practices. You will find associations, events, shops, grocery stores and restaurants from around the world here.

Time and space to grow

Many people live in an area known as the Avalon (which includes our capital city, St. John’s, and the surrounding metro area). But there are cities and towns throughout the province ready to welcome you.

One thing that you will notice about Newfoundland and Labrador is that we have tonnes of space! We have one of the lowest population densities in Canada and lots of forests, cliffs and coastlines. A beautiful and spacious place for you to explore – even in our cities.

Sick of wasting time in traffic? We have some of the shortest commute times in Canada, meaning you will have more time to spend on what you love, like friends, family and hobbies.

Winter weather (without the deep freeze!)

On the island of Newfoundland, the winter temperatures hover around 0°C, while the summer temperatures range from around 16°C – 25°C.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, you won’t see the freezing cold -40° C temperatures that can impact inland areas of Canada.

In Labrador, the winters are a bit colder – perfect for outdoor fun and adventures! And the summers are a little warmer than in Newfoundland, with temperatures up to 25°C.

Our climate has its perks – you don’t have to hide indoors with an air conditioner in the summer, or freeze all winter! But, our temperate marine climate does mean that precipitation is frequent all year round. We love to talk about the rain, drizzle and fog (or RDF, to the locals!), and we can get a lot of snow – the average winter snowfall is about 3 metres.

But no matter what the weather brings, you will see folks outside enjoying the scenic beauty and outdoor activities that our province is famous for!

A place with personality

Newfoundland and Labrador is well known for its unique culture. There are so many ways that our province stands out – from our colourful homes and beautiful harbours to our world-famous hospitality. In fact, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have been named one of the friendliest groups in the world!*
(*Source: Maclean’s)

The island of Newfoundland even has its own time zone, not shared by any other place – so we’re the first ones to see the sunrise over North America each morning.

Your place to thrive

We may be biased, but we think this is a great place to live, work and grow!
Learn more about life in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Contact us