Newfoundland is a large island located at Canada's north-eastern coast. The island enjoys a subarctic climate and in
winter the northern shores see plenty of pack ice with the occasional polar bear showing up. In late spring and early summer icebergs
from "nearby" Greenland can be seen drifting by on their way to the Atlantic and oblivion.
At the end of the 15th century European fishermen showed up to harvest the abundant cod population.
In 1497 the
Venetian explorer John Cabot landed at Cape Bonavista but It was not until 1583 that Newfoundland was claimed for England, its
first overseas colony.
At that time the Beothuk lived on the island but they were no match for the large European influx
and by mid 19th century they had become all but extinct.
Most Newfies are from Irish and English descent which resonates
in the island's dialects and cultures.
Fishing
remained an important source of income until the Cod Moratorium shut down the industry in 1992, resulting in mass unemployment and the
young people leaving the island.
A booming gas and oil industry brought back growth but a recent slump has all but stopped that
business, making tourism even more important.