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'''Newfoundland''' is an island off the east coast of the [[Canada|Canadian]] mainland. '''Newfoundland and Labrador''' is the corresponding province of Canada and is the oldest English dependency in the [[New World]].   

'''Newfoundland''' is an island off the east coast of the [[Canada|Canadian]] mainland. '''Newfoundland and Labrador''' is the corresponding province of Canada and is the oldest English dependency in the [[New World]].   

The [[Vikings]] temporarily established a settlement in 1013AD at [[l'Anse-aux-Meadows]].  Merchants from [[England]] fished the [[Grand Banks]] as early as 1481.  It became a self governing dominion in 1855, gave up its independence in the 1930s, and joined Canada in 1949. Despite repeated efforts to doversify the economy, fishing remained the dominant industry until its collapse in the 1980s.

English fishermen worked the [[Grand Banks]] as early as 1481. The French soon followed.  Both England and France had bases there foor fishing but the British pushed to French back into a narrow enclave.  The local First Nations became extinct on the island by 1829, but persist in Labrador. Permanent settlements grew slowly, mostly as support bases for fishermen. Am elected legislaure began in 1832, and  Newfoundland  became a self governing dominion in 1855. Politics revolved around religious tensions between the Protestants and the Irish Catholics. Very hard hit by the [[Great Depression]], Newfoundland gave up its independence in the 1930s, and joined Canada in 1949. Despite repeated efforts to doversify the economy, fishing remained the dominant industry until its collapse in the 1980s.

The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador includes all of the Island of Newfoundland, as well as an area of mainland, Labrador.  In general usage Canadian citizens call the province "Newfoundland" still.  The capital is [[St. John's]].  The population in 1991 was 568,474; 2.1% of the national population, by the 2006 census it had declined to 505,469<ref>2006 Canadian Census : [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=PR&Code1=10&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Newfoundland&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=]</ref> or 1.6% in part because of poor economic opportunities.  It has an area of 405,720 km².   

The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador includes all of the Island of Newfoundland, as well as an area of mainland, Labrador.  In general usage Canadian citizens call the province "Newfoundland" still.  The capital is [[St. John's]].  The population in 1991 was 568,474; 2.1% of the national population, by the 2006 census it had declined to 505,469<ref>2006 Canadian Census : [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=PR&Code1=10&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Newfoundland&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=]</ref> or 1.6% in part because of poor economic opportunities.  It has an area of 405,720 km².