Fortune - Newfoundland and Labrador

Route 220


The town of Fortune is unique in charm and character, with a history dating back to the 1500's when the French, Portuguese and Spanish fishermen first frequented the area.

Situated on the western side of the Burin Peninsula, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the name is thought to have originated from the Portuguese word "fortuna" meaning "harbour of good fortune."

Incorporated in 1946, it has a population today of approximately 2000 and the fishery is still the mainstay of the economy.

Within a 60 km radius residents can avail of shopping centres, hospitals, a golf course, provincial and private parks, colleges and numerous recreational areas.

The historic town of Fortune holds the distinction of being "The Gateway to St. Pierre et Miquelon." As many as 20,000 tourists pass through our community each year on their way to the French islands. The connection between the two communities is very strong and centuries old.

Where once Fortune Head and its lighthouse played a significant role in the past, the area is now a beacon in our future. It is the home to one of the richest fossil sites in the world - the Fortune Head Ecological Reserve. Dubbed by international geologists as the "Golden Spike", the shale cliffs of Fortune Head contain Pre-Cambrian and Cambrian trace fossils that date back 500-600 million years. Chosen as a "Global Stratotype", it is an international reference point for determining the earth's age.




Genealogy Information

Copyright © 2010, BNE-Web-Creations
Home :: Avalon :: Eastern :: Central :: Western :: Labrador :: Getting Here :: Pictures :: Contact Us :: Site Map :: Privacy Policy :: Disclaimer :: Terms Of Use