Newfoundland (S2.04)

In this episode of 80 Days: an exploration podcast, we return to the north of North America and explore Newfoundland, a Canadian island in the North Atlantic. At over 100,000 square kilometres (40,000 sq mi), Newfoundland is the world's 16th-largest island, and Cape Spear, just south of the capital, St John's, is the easternmost point of North America, excluding Greenland. Newfoundland has long been a sparsely populated and harsh land, with residents traditionally relying heavily on fishing to survive. The area has a significant Gaelic heritage, with strong connections to Ireland and Britain. Modern-day Newfoundland has a population of just under half a million, and is the most populous part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Your hosts are Luke Kelly @thelukejkelly in Hong Kong, Mark Boyle @markboyle86 in the UK, and Joe Byrne @anbeirneach in Switzerland. (Theme music by Thomas O’Boyle). Our guest contributor this week is Dr Philip Hiscock (Department of Folklore, Memorial University, Newfoundland) *Topic List*: [01:16] Intro [01:57] Early history – indigenous peoples and pushy Catholics [09:00] Eric the Red – bad egg/ass [13:00] Soil update - no codding you [20:10] As usual the British turn up [25:40] 80 Days Guest Dr Philip Hiscock - with some local knowledge [30:00] The French arrive and shrug disinterestedly [41:54] Beothuk people try to avoid conflict... uh oh [47:40] Census, politics and telegraphy [54:11] World wars, & reluctant Canadification [1:09:06] I'm here from the government and I'm here to help (resettlement, cod & seals) [1:20:24] 9/11 "We're diverting you to Newfoundland. All of you."