Official Language:
English
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Currency:
CAD
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Population:
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for St John's/Newfoundland: The weather here can be cool, cloudy, and very unpredictable! The average high temperatures during the summer cruising months are less than 70°F/21°C, though it can reach up to 90°F/32°C on occasion, be prepared for frequent change.
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St. John's, the capital city of Newfoundland, surrounds a small beautiful harbor and is located just east of the Avalon Peninsula. It is the easternmost city in all of North America. St. John's has a history that is inspiring. During the beginning of the 16th century, Europeans started to pay particular attention to this busy harbor. It's seaside location and closeness to lucrative fishing sites made St. John's famous. It attracted the Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese sailors as well as fishermen. The explorer John Cabot sailed into the harbor of St. John's in June of, 1497. This is now the feast day of St. John the Baptist. Cabot founded the city and then named it in honor of his country's beloved saint. St. John's has been recognized as being the oldest city in North America fand Newfoundland's major commercial and financial center.
St. John's offers many great parks, including Victoria Park, named for the queen, and built in the Victorian style. Another Victorian park is the Bannerman Park. One of the favorites is the C.A. Pippy Park at the north end of town. A large 3000+ acres park with sports, hiking trails, picnic sites, a golf course. Visitors may catch a glimpse of wild animals. Fluvarium is an exhibit within the park, that is worth seeing.
Signal Hill offers views of the city, the harbor, the ocean, and the coastline. The city itself is built on steep slopes above the landlocked harbor. At the top of the hill is Cabot Tower, where Gugliemo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal from across the Atlantic in 1901. The tower offers historical exhibits as well as a gift shop. For those who visit in July and August, you will have a chance to watch a reenactment of a 19th century military battle.
The waterfront offers a panorama of ships,history, and the chance for a self-guided tour of the wharf. Boat tours of the harbor depart from different places along the waterfront, and are worthwhile for relaxation and to see the city. Besides the whales and icebergs, visitors on the boat tours can experience a varitey of sea birds, with names like Kittiwake, Razorbill, or Southern Black Guillemots.
There are many historical buildings within the city such as the Government House, which survived the Great Fire of 1892, and considered one of the town's true architectural treasure, and the Colonial Building, home to the Newfoundland Historical Society. This is where much of Newfoundland and Labrador's history all took place.
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Attractions |
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Colonial Building Provincial Historic Site:
A fine white Irish limestone building, that was constructed in 1850. This was the Legislature Building for the Newfoundland Government until 1960. It now houses the Provincial Archives.
Commissariat House:
Restored to its original 1830s splendour, the Commissariat House located on King's Bridge Road is a late-Georgian mansion used by the British military. It is now home to a tearoom. Open daily throughout the summer months.
Confederation Building:
Overlooking the historic St. John's, the twelve story east block of this building houses the provincial legislature. The six story west block was opened in 1985. There is a small military museum inside.
Hiscock House Provincial Historic Site:
Restored to the 1910 period, the Hiscock House represents a local merchant's household in rural Newfoundland. Visitors will enjoy the guides who are in period costumes.
Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist:
A beautiful cathedral that was designed by the famous ecclesiastical architect Sir George Gilbert Scott. This is a true example of the Gothic style in North America.
Signal Hill National Historic Site:
This is the site where Marconi received the first trans-atlantic wireless signal in 1901. Spectacular views of St. John's can be found from Signal Hill.
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More Information |
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Web: http://www.stjohns.ca/index.jsp
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