Corner Brook, Newfoundland Labrador, is a city rich in history and culture, nestled on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland. As the fifth largest settlement in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the largest outside the Avalon Peninsula, Corner Brook is a bustling hub of activity and a must-visit destination for any traveler.
With a population of 19,333 as of 2021, Corner Brook is the second-largest population centre in the province, behind St. John's. The city is located on the Bay of Islands at the mouth of the Humber River, and serves as a service centre for western and northern Newfoundland. It shares the same latitude as Gaspé, Quebec, a city of similar size and landscape on the other side of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Corner Brook is also the most northern city in Atlantic Canada and the administrative headquarters of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nations band government.
The area was first surveyed by Captain James Cook in 1767, and the Captain James Cook Historic Site now stands on Crow Hill, overlooking the city. By the mid-19th century, Corner Brook was a small community of less than 100 people, engaged in fishing and lumber work. The city was originally four distinct communities: Curling, Corner Brook West, Corner Brook East, and Townsite, each with unique commercial activities. These four communities were amalgamated in 1956 to form the present-day City of Corner Brook.
Corner Brook is home to the Grenfell Campus of Memorial University, where a vibrant arts community thrives. The campus houses the Grenfell Art Gallery, and the city is also home to the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre and the Rotary Arts Centre. Theatre Newfoundland Labrador, the city's professional theatre company, operates a year-round professional theatre company and offers classes in acting, stagecraft, and music to youth. Corner Brook also hosts the Gros Morne Summer Music, a classical music festival that spans July and August.
Corner Brook is accessible via Route 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, and air services at Deer Lake Regional Airport. The city also offers a privately operated local bus service, Corner Brook Transit, and is served by four taxi cab companies.
Corner Brook experiences a humid continental climate, with warmer summers and colder winters than St. John's. The city lies in a heavy snow belt due to cold Arctic air masses from mainland Canada, resulting in "sea-effect" snow. This, combined with the heavy snow that can accompany mid-latitude storms, makes December and January the wettest months on average in Corner Brook.
Whether you're a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply a traveler looking for a new adventure, Corner Brook, Newfoundland Labrador, has something to offer everyone.
