Newfoundland is an island lying between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. It is larger than the state of Kentucky, and had a population of nearly 250,000. Its capital and chief city is St. John's on the southeastern section of the island, north of Cape Race. St. John's is the American port nearest to Europe, and is almost directly in the famous steamship lane connecting the northern countries of Europe with the United States. It is a city of 32,000; that is, about the size of Cedar Rapids. It is 560 miles northeast of Halifax. The chief importance of the city is due to its magnificent harbor, a part of which is shown in the view. Its trade is in supplies for its sea fisheries. The products of its fisheries consist of seals, seal oil and codfish. The importance of St. John's as a fishing port is not hard to understand. Just southeast of it lie the famous Grand Banks, one of the greatest fishing areas in the world. These Banks were so well supplied with fish that some of the early explorers of America reported that the progress of their vessels was checked by the schools of fish through which they had to pass. A number of these vessels stopped on the Banks and supplied their larders with fresh meat. Thus the fishing industry started on the Banks; and ever since, this district has helped to supply the meat of North America and Europe. From St. John's fishermen put out in small fishing vessels which may be away for weeks at a time. If successful, they return to the harbor with tons of cod, herring, or mackerel. What are the "Banks"? What do you know of the climate of St. John's? Why is it so foggy in that region? Keystone ID: 16320 Note: All titles, descriptions, and location coordinates are from the original Keystone Slide documentation as supplied by the Keystone View Company. No text has been edited or changed.