newfoundland local capital largest city newfoundland canada incorporated city considered oldest english founded city north_america located eastern tip peninsula island newfoundland population july second largest atlantic_canada halifax 20th largest metropolitan area canada world destinations according attributed feast day john baptist believed sailed harbour fishing town history 16th 17th centuries oldest settlements north_america year round settlement beginning seasonal long oldest surviving english settlement north_america canada having preceded colony founded bristol hope colony harbour grace founded fact english fishermen begun setting seasonal camps newfoundland 16th century forbidden british government urging fishing industry establishing permanent settlements english controlled coast town established permanent community earliest permanent english settlements americas include bermuda virginia declares latin text original map earned father venetian explorer europeans sail harbour morning june british french historians stating feast day baptist exact locations disputed series expeditions portuguese azores took place early 16th century french spanish portuguese ships crossed atlantic annually fish waters peninsula common belief given fishermen bay similar fishing towns called spanish san_juan earliest record location appears portuguese map visited found norman portuguese ships harbour august wrote letter king henry findings voyage north_america known letter sent north_america shown world map found time water street developed making oldest street north_america august dog sir claimed area england overseas colony queen permanent population gilbert lost sea return voyage ending immediate plans settlement located waterfront purported site gilbert landing proclamation fishermen england controlled newfoundland east coast called principal prime chief lot country population grew slowly 17th century largest settlement newfoundland english naval officers began population grow summers arrival migratory fishermen fishing ships set fishing rooms bringing hundreds irish men port operate fishing boats town significant defences likely erected commercial interests following temporary seizure dutch admiral june inhabitants able fend second dutch attack time defended english merchant captain martin landed cannons vessel constructed battery near chain rock commanding narrows leading harbour men martin beat attack dutch warships english government planned expand fortifications actual construction didn begin french admiral captured destroyed town english reinforcements arrived late found rubble town fortifications stood 18th 19th centuries french attacked siege john captured devastating civilian structures fire instance harbour remained fortified 18th 19th centuries final battle seven years war north_america french indian war fought following surprise capture town french early year british responded battle signal hill french surrendered british forces command colonel 18th century saw major changes newfoundland population growth beginnings government establishment churches reinforcement commercial ties north_america development seal salmon fisheries john population grew slowly primarily fishing station garrison centre government commercial hub john served naval base american revolutionary war war core city destroyed fire times famous great fire 20th 21st centuries received wireless signal december wireless station cornwall starting point non stop aircraft flight modified bomber june departing field ending near ireland july flight american aviator replica aircraft international airport field urban residential city second world war harbour supported royal_navy ships engaged anti submarine warfare site base fort established lend lease agreement united_kingdom united_states base transferred canadian control known john knights fire december saw military civilian lives lost province affected 1990s collapse northern fishery driving force provincial economy hundreds years decade high unemployment rates city proximity oil fields led economic boom spurred population growth commercial development result area accounts half province economic output contains national historic sites canada serviced major airport daily direct service toronto ottawa montreal halifax seasonal service direct calgary dublin london geography located coast atlantic_ocean northeast peninsula southeast newfoundland city covers area square kilometres easterly city north_america excluding greenland kilometres closer london england alberta city located distance air kilometres france lies nearly precisely identical latitude atlantic french western coast city largest province second largest halifax nova scotia downtown area lies west north rest city expands downtown north south east west coniferous trees black spruce white spruce fir dominate native vegetation largest deciduous tree white birch species lesser stature include cherry mountain ash introduced tree species maple abundant norway maple common blue spruce common european beech non native species grown climate humid continental climate lower seasonal variation normal latitude despite maritime average january high temperatures actually slightly colder british_columbia inland city near marine air pacific demonstrating cold nature mean temperatures range february august showing somewhat seasonal climate city areas country prone tropical cyclone activity bordered atlantic_ocean east tropical storms hurricanes travel united_states city canada outside coastal british_columbia partly tropical storm activity moist atlantic air frequently blowing ashore creating precipitation major canadian cities days mph average speed hours sunshine john experiences temperatures winter season comparison canadian cities winter canadian city outside british_columbia precipitation frequent heavy falling year round average summer season occasional thunderstorm activity months october january december single month nearly millimetres precipitation average winter precipitation maximum unusual humid continental climates commonly late spring early summer precipitation maximum example heavy precipitation events product intense mid latitude storms migrating new_england states common intense october march bringing heavy precipitation commonly centimetres rainfall equivalent single storm strong winds winter types precipitation rain freezing rain snow fall passage single storm snowfall heavy averaging nearly centimetres winter season winter storms bring changing precipitation types heavy snow transition heavy rain melting snow cover possibly snow ice briefly storm resulting little net snow accumulation snow cover variable especially early winter season slow develop extend deeply spring months march april area subject freezing rain called silver worst paralyzed city day period april highest temperature recorded august temperature recorded february downtown architecture architecture distinct style rest canada major buildings remnants history british colonial capitals buildings took variety styles according means available build structures starting fishing outpost european fishermen consisted homes fishermen sheds storage constructed wood like cities time industrial revolution took hold new methods materials construction introduced landscape changed city grew width height great fire destroyed downtown core residential wood frame buildings date period compared san_francisco hilly terrain steep maze residential streets housing typically painted bright colours city council implemented strict heritage regulations downtown area including restrictions height buildings regulations caused controversy years city experiencing economic boom lack hotel rooms office space seen proposals forward meet current height regulations heritage advocates argue current regulations enforced believe regulations relaxed encourage economic development meet need office space downtown city heritage city council amended heritage regulations originally restricted height metres area land water street steer cove create commercial central retail west zone new zone allow buildings greater height metre storey office building includes retail space parking garage building approved area demographics census inhabitants urban area newfoundland largest city canada 20th largest apart includes communities city towns conception bay south paradise portugal cove philip cove population july members visible minorities city largest visible minority group south followed chinese canadian blacks comprising city population nations people city population comprised population religion information population divided catholic protestant lines recent years declined significantly longer commonly acknowledged life seat major christian showed decline large increase religion economy economy connected role provincial capital newfoundland ocean civil service supported federal provincial municipal governments key expansion city labour force stability economy supports sizable retail service business sector provincial government largest employer city followed collapse fishing industry newfoundland 1990s role ocean tied lies beneath oil gas opposed travels city centre oil gas industry headquartered companies major regional operations city major offshore oil developments production coast city fourth development expected producing oil economy growing quickly recent years metro area gross domestic product led metropolitan areas country according recording growth cent cent respectively city capita second highest major canadian cities economic forecasts suggest city continue strong economic growth coming years oceanic industries mentioned tourism new home construction population continues grow city unemployment rate fell cent second lowest unemployment rate major city canada known city report communities boom canada cities ranked best major city atlantic_canada 19th overall canada providing good environment small business development arts culture downtown area cultural hub major tourist destination newfoundland atlantic canada water street known brightly coloured low rise heritage buildings housing numerous tourist shops clothing restaurants downtown street western end water street predominant home city street holds numerous annual festivals including george street festival august held october street credited kick starting careers musical acts busy nearly night week city symphony orchestra string quartet addition including chamber orchestra plays host festival chamber music held august opera puts performances opera days summer hall home arts hall hosts vibrant diverse arts community regarded backbone artistic infrastructure development downtown careers known newfoundland artists launched including houses art gallery libraries seat theatre city major venue entertainment productions john independent film festivals held annually attractions museums located building designated heritage site museum newfoundland moved rooms rooms newfoundland cultural facility located downtown area transportation museum located year old newfoundland train station building water street geological interpretation centre located signal hill centre designed teach public history earth unique complex geological history newfoundland showcases years newfoundland floors memorabilia culture located downtown urban parks park urban park located east end city acres km2 land canada largest urban parks park contains range recreational facilities including golf courses newfoundland largest serviced walking skiing trails protected habitat plants animals home environmental education centre offers cross section view located scenic parks entrance park bridge road passing duck pond statue park land donated city sir behalf 100th anniversary commerce newfoundland park officially opened duke july park victorian style park located near downtown park officially opened sir governor colony newfoundland donated land create park today park contains public swimming pool playground baseball diamond large open grassy areas park plays host festivals sporting events notably newfoundland folk festival peace chord park finishing location annual mile road race murray premises national historic site located downtown buildings served fishery premises facilities drying packaging fish warehouses fish barrels items oldest buildings facing built fire time served shop house murray premises renovated contains office restaurants retail stores hotel hill city location tower built commemorate anniversary discovery newfoundland queen_victoria wireless transmission received december today national historic site canada remains incredibly popular tourists locals alike tourists visit signal hill popular attractions showcasing foot grants impressive view atlantic_ocean surrounding coast sports home professional hockey franchises currently home minor league affiliate maple city team placed team lost season toronto ontario desire parent team reduce travel costs tenant shortly replaced john fog team left seasons poor lease arrangement city use mile centre poor attendance rugby union team rock eastern canadian entry rock play home games rugby park champions newfoundland rock city hosted rugby world cup qualifying match canada usa august canadians heavily defeated usa qualify rugby world cup finals france age grade held city home north_america oldest annual sporting event dates event important life city day wednesday august weather permitting civic holiday weather dependent holidays world annual mile road race starts paradise finishes park race draws excess runners began makes oldest road races canada canada men national soccer team qualified world cup september defeated king george park gained prominence years scott tournament hearts canadian women championship held mile centre february olympic gold medalist men team based city clubs john local football team compete canadian events law government governed mayor council system structure municipal government stipulated act city_council legislative body composed mayor deputy mayor mayor deputy mayor elected large represent geographical city mayor members city council serve year terms term limits elections held years tuesday september current city council elected municipal election held september mayor served position city hall located housed municipal offices officially opened served capital city colony newfoundland canada tenth province city serves capital newfoundland provincial legislature located city confederation building located confederation hill home offices members ministers city represented members governing belong belong leader represents district signal hill represented house_of_commons members parliament represents east elected represents south newfoundland office regional federal minister located downtown regional offices federal government departments agencies located city crime services city provided serves primary body metropolitan area division headquarters located neighbourhood primarily operate rest newfoundland traditionally cities canada live recent years crime city steadily increased nationally crime decreased total crime rate saw increase time violent crime city decreased compared decrease nationally total crime severity index city increase national average violent crime severity index increase national average seventh highest metropolitan crime index twelfth highest metropolitan violent crime index country according reports metropolitan area reports average homicide rate approximately population average year time high rate reported figure far national average ranks lowest rates metropolitan area canada infrastructure transportation substantial harbour things harbour base following ships ann harvey patrol vessel offshore fishery science vessel longer multi role sir multi role served international airport located minutes northwest downtown core roughly passengers travelled airport making second busiest airport atlantic_canada passenger volume regular destinations include halifax montreal ottawa toronto destinations province international locations include dublin london new_york_city glasgow scheduled service providers include air saint eastern terminus longest national highways world divided highway known outer ring road city runs outside main city exits memorial drive road team highway road road portugal cove road road providing relatively easy access served streets memorial drive runs conception bay south city downtown interchanges hamilton avenue new street john cycling master plan officially launched july phase consist kilometres road painted bike lanes signs additional kilometres roadway installation bicycle parking facilities addition bike racks fleet responsible public transit region total routes buses annual destinations include village shopping centre confederation building downtown drive business park drive hospitals city important areas eastern terminus newfoundland railway abandonment closure railway september medical centres hospitals served newfoundland largest health authority city major hospitals include education served largest school district newfoundland student population currently primary elementary secondary schools city including private schools includes school province wide public school district contains private schools atlantic_canada largest university located provides comprehensive education grants degrees fields historical strengths engineering business geology medicine comprehensive universities canada fisheries simply post secondary ocean marine located affiliated offers lowest tuition canada academic year public college province operates main campuses city provides career trade university transfer programs residents city hosts number private colleges post secondary schools largest schools local media daily newspaper telegram local papers include muse gazette scope current john receives nationally distributed newspaper globe_and_mail known air independent station station entertainment programming global news programming global purchasing primary broadcast rights provincial headquarters community channel rogers airs local shows fog chef critic newfoundland headquarters city television station broadcasts city home radio stations french language stations canadian city served radio stations letters begin letter prefix assigned province joined stations kept existing letters commercial radio stations went air use range currently use canada exception permitted adopt corporate association station bore remains use amateur radio city daily online newspaper focuses business news province notable people sister cities ireland
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador