Newfoundland and Labrador is situated in the Eastern part of Canada and is one of the country's four Atlantic provinces. It is comprised of the inward region of Newfoundland, and the continental region of Labrador to the Northwest, as well over 7,000 small islands. The total area of the province is 405, 212 square kilometres. The total population in the province is 525,400, with a majority of the population living on Newfoundland and neighbouring islands (more than half of which live on the Avalon Peninsula)
97% of the residents in Newfoundland use English as their primary language, while other languages common in the province includes French and Irish. In Labrador, two indigenous languages are also spoken; Innu-aimun, and Inuktitut.
The capital and biggest city in the province is St John's, the 20th largest census metropolitan region of Canada, comprising 40% of the total population in the province.
92% of the total population live in Newfoundland, while 50% of that total live on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, where the capital of the province; St John's is located.
St John's is the biggest city in Newfoundland, with a population of about 108,000, considered as one of the oldest English cities in North America. More than 95% of the total Newfoundland population are English-speaking.
Almost 40% of the total population in NF associate with Roman Catholicism, while the balance 60% of the population are broken into other denominations, such as Protestant, 2.5% claim that they do not have any religious affiliation, while only 0.2% of the population claim to have another faith.
The average median age of residents in the province is 44 years.
The climate of Newfoundland can be described as humid continental. Broadly, the province experiences cool summers, largely influenced by the proximity to the ocean. Labrador's climate in the North is considered to be Polar tundra, while the south experiences a Subarctic climate.
The average summer temperatures in the province is around 16 degrees Celsius, while winter temperatures are around 0 degrees Celsius. Winters can be quite harsh and occasionally drops below freezing point, while summers are more pleasant, and can reach as high as 25 degrees Celsius.
All International students registered as full-time students at Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary institutions are eligible for MCP coverage.
To be eligible you must be registered at an eligible education institution in the province, for a study period of at least 12 months. All dependends (if any) living with you will also be eligibel to be covered under the medical coverage plan. You must present a letter of enrolment along with your application for medical coverage, to receive the MCP card. The MCP card is renewed each year, and is terminated at the completion of your study program, or your departure from the province. You must be enroled in the education institution, and the province to avail benefits of this coverage.
The coverage includes doctor visits, hospital stays, and other basic medical care. Private health insurance can also be purchased to include coverage for things not included in the MCP, such as prescription drugs, dental, and more.
Post-secondary education in Newfoundland and Labrador is small, but effective, offering some of the most comprehensive degree programs. The province also offers several health-related programs, through its 25 private colleges. The Fisheries and Marine Institute also offers training and Fishery and Marine technology.
Universities and Colleges in the province offer over 175 programs in a range of industries and subject fields, to help prepare students for life after graduation and future employment. Programs are offered in areas such as medicine, education, business, geology, engineering, arts, music, pharmacy, science, tourism, IT, industrial trades, health sciences, and social work.
Each year the province enrols about 2,500 international students at its universities and colleges, located in St John's and Stephenville.
Universities and Colleges
For decades, the exploitation and export of natural resources has been the foundation of the Newfoundland and Labrador economy, inlcuding fisheries, mining, and forestry.
However in recent years, the primary economic industries in the province have seen an alarming decline. In the 21st century, the economy has shown signs of recovering, with emerging industries like mineral extraction, and the growth of tourism contributing largely to this success.
Resources and power
A majority of the Province's mining is now based in Western Labrador, and focused on the mining of iron ore, as well as nickel, copper, cobalt, gold, barite, silica, dolomite, gypsum, sand, gravel, and peat.
Manufacturing
The pulp and paper industry, wood products, building and repairing ships and boats, and the food and beverage manufacturing companines are dominant industries
Tourism
Tourism is another growing sector.
Some of the other primary growth industries in the province includes retail, health care, education, public administration, and professional services. A large portion of the country's revenue comes from local sales and income taxes.
The unemployment rate in the province is also higher than the national average.
