Fortune, a quaint Canadian town nestled in the province of Newfoundland Labrador, boasts a population of 1,285 as of 2021. This charming town is situated on the western side of the Burin Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. Incorporated as a town in 1945, Fortune is located near the southeastern boundary of Fortune Bay. The town's name is believed to have originated from the Portuguese word "fortuna," meaning "harbour of good fortune."
The main industry in Fortune, Newfoundland Labrador, is the ocean fishery, employing 400 of its residents. The majority of species landed include cod, flounder, and haddock, contributing significantly to the town's economy.
Fortune, Newfoundland Labrador, also serves as the nearest Canadian port for travelling to the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon. During the spring and summer months, a ferry connects the two islands with Fortune, making it a bustling hub of activity.
The Geological stage Fortunian - the first age of the Cambrian Period - is named after Fortune and Fortune Bay. The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) is located nearby, further cementing Fortune's place in geological history.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Fortune, Newfoundland Labrador, had a population of 1,285 living in 617 of its 767 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -8.3% from its 2016 population of 1,401. With a land area of 54.77 km2 (21.15 sq mi), it had a population density of 23.5/km2 (60.8/sq mi) in 2021.
