Portugal Cove South, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Portugal Cove South is a small fishing town on the southern shore of the Avalon Peninsula
of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
. It is located 138 km south of St. John's.
Its name is derived from its origins as a Portuguese station first settled in the 16th century. 'South' was added in order to distinguish itself from Portugal Cove, near Conception Bay.
Portugal Cove South had a population of 225 in the Canada 2006 Census
.
Until 1992, many residents participated in the in shore cod fishery. More recently the economy has diversified and some being self-employed and others pursuing work in nearby communities.
There is an interpretation centre in Portugal Cove South, which is the starting point for guided tours of Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve which has a collection of some of the oldest known Ediacaran
fossils. Cape Race
is accessible by gravel road via Portugal Cove South, 19 km away.
Portugal Cove South was settled by the Molloy's from Trepassey and the O'Leary's from Renews from the 1800-1850s. From 1850 to 1890, the Coombs, Power and Ward families arrived. From 1900-1950, more families arrived from the small coastal communities of Long Beach and the Drook, which are now abandoned communities.
In 2010 Hurricane Igor made a direct hit on the town.
Avalon Peninsula
The Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland.The peninsula is home to 257,223 people, which is approximately 51% of Newfoundland's population in 2009, and is the location of the provincial capital, St. John's. It is connected to the...
of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is located 138 km south of St. John's.
Its name is derived from its origins as a Portuguese station first settled in the 16th century. 'South' was added in order to distinguish itself from Portugal Cove, near Conception Bay.
Portugal Cove South had a population of 225 in the Canada 2006 Census
Canada 2006 Census
The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...
.
Until 1992, many residents participated in the in shore cod fishery. More recently the economy has diversified and some being self-employed and others pursuing work in nearby communities.
There is an interpretation centre in Portugal Cove South, which is the starting point for guided tours of Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve which has a collection of some of the oldest known Ediacaran
Ediacaran
The Ediacaran Period , named after the Ediacara Hills of South Australia, is the last geological period of the Neoproterozoic Era and of the Proterozoic Eon, immediately preceding the Cambrian Period, the first period of the Paleozoic Era and of the Phanerozoic Eon...
fossils. Cape Race
Cape Race
Cape Race is a point of land located at the southeastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland, Canada. Its name is thought to come from the original Portuguese name for this cape, "Raso", or "bare"...
is accessible by gravel road via Portugal Cove South, 19 km away.
History
It was originally visited by Basque, English, French and Portuguese migratory fishermen, and permanently settled in the late 18th century by William Hartery of Waterford Country, Ireland.Portugal Cove South was settled by the Molloy's from Trepassey and the O'Leary's from Renews from the 1800-1850s. From 1850 to 1890, the Coombs, Power and Ward families arrived. From 1900-1950, more families arrived from the small coastal communities of Long Beach and the Drook, which are now abandoned communities.
In 2010 Hurricane Igor made a direct hit on the town.