Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Wabush is a small town in the western tip of Labrador
, known for transportation and iron ore operations for over three decades (1967 to 2007).
Wabush is the twin community of Labrador City
. At its peak population in the late 1970s, the region had a population of just over 22,000. Today Wabush's population (2006) is 1,739. Most residents continue to work in the nearby mines: Wabush Mines and Iron Ore Company of Canada
.
While remote, the town does contain modern amenities. There is a shopping center (Which includes a post office, bank, a women's department, a restaurant, a bar, and a snowmobile store) recreational center (that includes a bowling alley, gymnasium, swimming pool, a teen center, and a weight lifting room) ice arena, a library, a legion building that serves alcoholic beverages, a furniture store, several playgrounds, a school, a church, two corner stores, a hotel (which also includes a restaurant, a barber shop, and a bar). In nearby Labrador City, there is a modern indoor shopping centre which includes a Walmart.
Air transportation needs for the twin communities are served by Wabush Airport
and seasonally by Wabush Water Aerodrome
. It used to get more frequent service by Air Gaspé
, which was acquired by Quebecair
in 1973. The latter ended as an independent business in 1986, acquired in turn by CP Air in 1986 and Canadian Airlines
in 1987. Currently the area is serviced by Air Canada (Air Canada Express & Expolits Valley Air Service), Provincial Airlines, Pascan Air and Air Inuit.
Companies in and around Wabush include:
(Köppen
Dfc) with precipitation much higher than usual for this type of climate due to the persistent Icelandic Low
, which give the region some of the rainiest and snowiest weather in all of Canada. Especially in summer, cloudiness is very high due to the lakes nearby and the unstable northerly airstreams that prevail, but because the town is relatively far from the open sea sunshine is higher than even in St. John’s due to the absence of fog
from the Labrador Current
. Snow usually melts off in May.
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
, known for transportation and iron ore operations for over three decades (1967 to 2007).
Wabush is the twin community of Labrador City
Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador
Labrador City is a town in western Labrador , near the Quebec border. As of 2006, its population is 7,240...
. At its peak population in the late 1970s, the region had a population of just over 22,000. Today Wabush's population (2006) is 1,739. Most residents continue to work in the nearby mines: Wabush Mines and Iron Ore Company of Canada
Iron Ore Company of Canada
Iron Ore Company of Canada is a Canadian-based producer of iron ore. The company was founded in 1949 from a partnership of Canadian and American M.A. Hanna Company...
.
While remote, the town does contain modern amenities. There is a shopping center (Which includes a post office, bank, a women's department, a restaurant, a bar, and a snowmobile store) recreational center (that includes a bowling alley, gymnasium, swimming pool, a teen center, and a weight lifting room) ice arena, a library, a legion building that serves alcoholic beverages, a furniture store, several playgrounds, a school, a church, two corner stores, a hotel (which also includes a restaurant, a barber shop, and a bar). In nearby Labrador City, there is a modern indoor shopping centre which includes a Walmart.
Air transportation needs for the twin communities are served by Wabush Airport
Wabush Airport
Wabush Airport is northeast of Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.-Airlines and destinations:...
and seasonally by Wabush Water Aerodrome
Wabush Water Aerodrome
Wabush Water Aerodrome is adjacent to Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada on Little Wabush Lake and is open from June until October....
. It used to get more frequent service by Air Gaspé
Air Gaspé
Air Gaspé was a Canadian airline headquartered in Sept-Îles, Quebec.The airline began charter flights in 1951 and became a subsidiary of Quebecair in 1973. Quebecair operated until 1986...
, which was acquired by Quebecair
Quebecair
Quebecair was a Canadian airline that operated from 1947 until 1986. Quebecair was headquartered in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, now a part of Montreal.-Company history:...
in 1973. The latter ended as an independent business in 1986, acquired in turn by CP Air in 1986 and Canadian Airlines
Canadian Airlines
Canadian Airlines International Ltd. was a Canadian airline that operated from 1987 until 2001. The airline was Canada's second largest airline after Air Canada, and carried more than 11.9 million passengers to over 160 destinations in 17 countries on five continents at its height in 1996...
in 1987. Currently the area is serviced by Air Canada (Air Canada Express & Expolits Valley Air Service), Provincial Airlines, Pascan Air and Air Inuit.
Companies in and around Wabush include:
- StelcoStelcoUS Steel Canada is a steel company based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.-History:Several existing smaller steelworks combined and were incorporated as the Steel Company of Canada in 1910. Charles S...
- DofascoDofascoDofasco is a steel company based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, which is also home to longtime Canadian rival Stelco. Dofasco is currently a standalone subsidiary of ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel producer. Previously ordered by the U.S...
- Wabush Iron Company Limited
Climate
Like most of Labrador, Wabush has a subarctic climateSubarctic climate
The subarctic climate is a climate characterized by long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers. It is found on large landmasses, away from the moderating effects of an ocean, generally at latitudes from 50° to 70°N poleward of the humid continental climates...
(Köppen
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Dfc) with precipitation much higher than usual for this type of climate due to the persistent Icelandic Low
Icelandic Low
The Icelandic Low is a semi-permanent centre of low atmospheric pressure found between Iceland and southern Greenland and extending in the Northern Hemisphere winter into the Barents Sea. In summer it weakens and splits into two centres, one near Davis Strait and the other west of Iceland...
, which give the region some of the rainiest and snowiest weather in all of Canada. Especially in summer, cloudiness is very high due to the lakes nearby and the unstable northerly airstreams that prevail, but because the town is relatively far from the open sea sunshine is higher than even in St. John’s due to the absence of fog
Fog
Fog is a collection of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth's surface. While fog is a type of stratus cloud, the term "fog" is typically distinguished from the more generic term "cloud" in that fog is low-lying, and the moisture in the fog is often generated...
from the Labrador Current
Labrador Current
The Labrador Current is a cold current in the North Atlantic Ocean which flows from the Arctic Ocean south along the coast of Labrador and passes around Newfoundland, continuing south along the east coast of Nova Scotia...
. Snow usually melts off in May.