Located in eastern Canada, Labrador is a part of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (insert).
Labrador is a 269,073 km² (103,895 mi²) land area located on the eastern coast of Canada. It is a part of the Canadian Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. To the west of Labrador is the neighbouring Province of Quebec. To the east is the North Atlantic Ocean.
Labrador has a population of about 27,000 people, distributed through 32 communities. Communities range in size from the relatively large centres of Happy Valley-Goose Bay (population 7,572) and Labrador City (7,240) to tiny settlements with a few dozen inhabitants.
Labrador has a population of about 27,000 people, distributed through 32 communities. Communities range in size from the relatively large centres of Happy Valley-Goose Bay (population 7,572) and Labrador City (7,240) to tiny settlements with a few dozen inhabitants.
Labrador is comprised of four regions, defined by political boundaries and to some extent social, economic, cultural and historical differences. The map at right is based on political boundaries between regions. Each of these regions elects a representative to the provincial House of Assembly.
Labrador North is the traditional home of Labrador's Inuit and Innu people. There are widely-dispersed communities along the coast that are accessible by air and sea, and by snowmobile trails in winter months. Today, mineral exploration and development plays an important role in the region's economy.
Labrador West is an interior region, far removed from the coast. The towns of Labrador City and Wabush focus on the iron ore mining, while Churchill Falls is the site of a large hydroelectric station. In historical terms these towns are relatively "new arrivals". Long before industrial development came to Labrador West the interior country was used by Aboriginal peoples.
Central Labrador includes a cluster of communities around Hamilton Inlet. These include the Innu town of Sheshatshiu, the historical settlement of North West River, and the large centre of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The multinational military airbase at Goose Bay plays an important economic role in the region. A commercial airport at Goose Bay is a hub for air travel within Labrador.
Towns in Labrador West and Central Labrador are served by modern road systems. The two regions are linked by the Trans-Labrador highway.
Labrador Coastal Drive is the southern coast of Labrador, extending from Cartwright in the north to L'Anse au Clair in the south. Small communities — most with populations measured in the hundreds — dot the coastline. Commercial fishing was and still is the economic mainstay of the region. A road system links most (but not all) communities in the region. Future road development will join the region to the Trans-Labrador highway at Goose Bay.
Labrador North is the traditional home of Labrador's Inuit and Innu people. There are widely-dispersed communities along the coast that are accessible by air and sea, and by snowmobile trails in winter months. Today, mineral exploration and development plays an important role in the region's economy.
Labrador West is an interior region, far removed from the coast. The towns of Labrador City and Wabush focus on the iron ore mining, while Churchill Falls is the site of a large hydroelectric station. In historical terms these towns are relatively "new arrivals". Long before industrial development came to Labrador West the interior country was used by Aboriginal peoples.
Central Labrador includes a cluster of communities around Hamilton Inlet. These include the Innu town of Sheshatshiu, the historical settlement of North West River, and the large centre of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The multinational military airbase at Goose Bay plays an important economic role in the region. A commercial airport at Goose Bay is a hub for air travel within Labrador.
Towns in Labrador West and Central Labrador are served by modern road systems. The two regions are linked by the Trans-Labrador highway.
Labrador Coastal Drive is the southern coast of Labrador, extending from Cartwright in the north to L'Anse au Clair in the south. Small communities — most with populations measured in the hundreds — dot the coastline. Commercial fishing was and still is the economic mainstay of the region. A road system links most (but not all) communities in the region. Future road development will join the region to the Trans-Labrador highway at Goose Bay.
