St. John's, the capital and largest city of Newfoundland Labrador, is a vibrant city with a rich history and culture. Located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland, it is the easternmost city in North America, excluding Greenland. With a metropolitan population of approximately 212,579, St. John's is Canada's 20th-largest metropolitan area and the second-largest Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in Atlantic Canada, after Halifax.
St. John's has a long and storied history, dating back to the early 16th century. It was used by fishermen setting up seasonal camps and was officially incorporated as a city in 1888. The city's name is believed to have been attributed to the belief that John Cabot sailed into the harbour on the Nativity of John the Baptist in 1497, although this is likely a legend that came with British settlement.
The city played a significant role in several wars, including the Seven Years' War, the American Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. It was also the site where Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal.
In the 18th century, St. John's saw major changes, including population growth, the establishment of government and churches, and the development of various fisheries. The city served as a naval base during the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
In the 20th century, St. John's was the starting point for the first non-stop transatlantic aircraft flight by Alcock and Brown in June 1919. The city was also significantly affected by the collapse of the northern cod fishery in the 1990s, but its proximity to several oil fields led to an economic boom and population growth.
St. John's is situated along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, on the northeast of the Avalon Peninsula in southeast Newfoundland. The city is the largest in the province and the second largest in the Atlantic Provinces after Halifax, Nova Scotia. Its downtown area lies to the west and north of St. John's Harbour, and the rest of the city expands from the downtown to the north, south, east, and west.
St. John's has a humid continental climate with smaller seasonal variation than normal for the latitude, which is due to Gulf Stream moderation. The city is one of the rainiest in Canada outside of coastal British Columbia and is also one of the areas of the country most prone to tropical cyclone activity.
St. John's architecture has a distinct style different from the rest of Canada, and its major buildings are remnants of its history as one of the first British colonial capitals. The downtown area is the cultural hub of St. John's and is a major tourist destination in Newfoundland and Labrador and Atlantic Canada.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, St. John's had a population of 110,525 living in 49,298 of its 54,067 total private dwellings. The city has a median age of 40.5 compared to 41.2 nationally and 46.0 in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The downtown area of St. John's is known for its brightly coloured low rise heritage buildings, housing numerous tourist shops, clothing boutiques, and restaurants. The city has a symphony orchestra, a string quartet, and several choirs. St. John's also hosts several independent film festivals and a vibrant and diverse arts community.
St. John's is home to several museums, including The Rooms, Newfoundland and Labrador's cultural facility, the Railway Coastal Museum, a transportation museum, and the Johnson Geo Centre, a geological interpretation centre.
St. John's boasts several urban parks, including Pippy Park, one of Canada's largest urban parks, Bowring Park, a Victorian-style park, and Bannerman Park, which hosts many festivals and sporting events.
St. John's has been home to several professional hockey franchises, including the St. John's Maple Leafs, the St. John's Fog Devils, the St. John's IceCaps, and the Newfoundland Growlers. The city also hosts the Royal St. John's Regatta, North America's oldest annual sporting event.
St. John's has a substantial harbour, which is the base for several Canadian Coast Guard ships. The city is served by NL Health Services, Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial health authority. The city's major hospitals include the Health Sciences Centre, St. Clare's Mercy Hospital, Waterford Hospital, and the Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre.
St. John's, Newfoundland Labrador is a city that seamlessly blends history and modernity, offering a unique experience for both residents and tourists. Whether you're interested in exploring the city's rich history, enjoying its vibrant culture, or simply taking in the stunning natural beauty, St. John's has something for everyone.
