Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Music Box • Geography

Newfoundland

Newfoundland is a large island in eastern Canada and part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Newfoundland is a large island in eastern Canada, part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It lies in the North Atlantic Ocean and includes the provincial capital, St. John’s.

What it is

Newfoundland is the largest island in Canada outside the North and the fourth-largest island in the country. It is separated from Labrador by the Strait of Belle Isle and sits south of the Canadian mainland, with the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the west and southwest. The island is roughly triangular and is known for its rugged coastline, deeply indented bays, and varied terrain.

Geography and terrain

The island’s landscape includes plateaus, hills, low mountains, rivers, lakes, and fjords. The Long Range Mountains, part of the Appalachian system, run along the western side. The coastline is heavily indented with many inlets and bays, giving the island a mix of coastal lowlands and rocky highlands.

Population and settlement

Most of Newfoundland and Labrador’s population lives on the island of Newfoundland. The largest urban centre is the St. John’s metropolitan area on the southeastern coast. Other notable cities include Corner Brook, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, and Clarenville.

In short

  • Largest island in Canada outside the North, covering 108,860 km².
  • Separated from Labrador by the Strait of Belle Isle.
  • Roughly triangular shape with a rugged, deeply indented coastline.
  • Provincial capital St. John’s is on the southeastern coast.
Canadian angle

Newfoundland is a major part of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s easternmost province, and is central to the province’s history, settlement pattern, and coastal geography.

Quick questions

Where is Newfoundland located?
Newfoundland is an island in eastern Canada in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Labrador and east of the Canadian mainland.
What is the capital of Newfoundland?
The capital of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador is St. John’s, on the southeastern coast of Newfoundland.
How big is Newfoundland?
Newfoundland has an area of 108,860 km², making it Canada’s fourth-largest island and the largest Canadian island outside the North.

Sources

  1. Government of Canada Open Government Portal — https://www.open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/3a261a74-c4d8-5973-b966-6866f71e7841
    Supports: Outline map showing the boundary, coastline, major lakes, and rivers of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  2. GIS Geography — https://gisgeography.com/newfoundland-map/
    Supports: Location of Newfoundland and Labrador, capital city, area, island shape, latitudes, and physical geography.
  3. Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador — https://www.heritage.nf.ca/resources/place-maps.php
    Supports: Reference to maps of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  4. Ontheworldmap — https://ontheworldmap.com/canada/province/newfoundland-and-labrador/large-detailed-map-of-newfoundland-and-labrador-with-cities-and-towns.html
    Supports: Map featuring cities, towns, rivers, lakes, highways, and national parks in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  5. WorldAtlas — https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/canada/newfoundland-and-labrador
    Supports: Province location in eastern Canada and regional geography including coastlines, bays, inlets, and bodies of water.
  6. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfoundland_(island)
    Supports: Island area, location, separation from Labrador, capital location, and population figure cited from 2016.
  7. Geology.com — https://geology.com/canada/newfoundland-and-labrador.shtml
    Supports: Province geography, separation by the Strait of Belle Isle, and list of major cities and towns.