The British are a nation that has spread their influence throughout the world. They created colonies in many continents, such as Asia, the Americas, and Africa, to take resources of those countries to Britain and to spread their religion around the world. Newfoundland also an island that was colonized by the British. It was also the longest-ruled colony under the British Empire. In this article, we hope to bring you some information about an early British colony, Newfoundland
Location
Today, Newfoundland is a Canadian state. And the current name is “Newfoundland and Labrador”. The name was changed to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001. This is located in the Gulf of St Lawrence. Cabot Strait is located on southwest of Newfoundland. The southeastern end is the French terrain of Saint Pierre and Mique.
History
According to historians, in the prehistoric period, from 8000 to 3200 BC, Newfoundland was inhabited by the Maritime Archaic community. After them palaeo Eskimos were settled here. They have lived here from 2800 to 600 BC. From 2000 BCE to the recent history, the Indians lived here. The British began claiming the island from 1497 onwards by John Cabot, an advocate for the British Empire. After that, the official claims for Newfoundland were made by Humphery Gilbert. That was in 1583. He hoped to complete the island’s population by hunters and fishermen. But his plans were ruined because he had disappeared at the sea when returning to his home country.
The next attempt to colonize Newfoundland was happened in 1610 by the man called John Guy. He arrived with 39 other colonists. But the colony was not profitable as they thought and however part of this group was established as the first Europeans in this island. After that there were many conflicts happened between English and the French nations over this colony. Anyway Newfoundland was a colony that remained loyal to the West until the twentieth century.
Ethnicities and religions
The ethnic groups here have a European origin. It is because this has been a colony for a long time. Most people are descended from southwest England immigrants. Also most of the people who living on the west coast of Newfoundland has a French origin. And most of the Newfoundlanders are Christians.
Topography and weather
Newfoundland has hilly terrain and a deeply indented coastline. Most of the land can be describe as a plateau. There are many small lakes and marshes and also a good forest cover. Newfoundland has a generally cold and humid climate.
Resources
Besides not being a very fertile agricultural country, Newfoundland has many mineral resources. These mineral resources includes copper, zinc, iron, gold, oil, and various natural gas. Petroleum production began in 1977 with the discovery of the oil on the coast of Newfoundland.
In addition, fishing activities are carried out due to the abundance of sea resources.
Agriculture and Economy
Newfoundland’s economic growth has been slowed because of the cold weather and lack of transportation. Somehow they make the best use of the natural resources of the island. The fisheries industry, petroleum products and wood based products also contributes significant amount to the economy. Due to bad weather condition and barren soil, agriculture and crop production has become difficult. Therefore, Newfoundland often import food items to meet the food needs of their people.
