
The sun sets over Deer Lake, Newfoundland, June 2003.
'Deer Lake' (2006 pop.: 4,827) is a
Canadian town in the western part of the island of
Newfoundland in the province of
Newfoundland and Labrador.
The town derives its name from
Deer Lake and is situated at the outlet of the upper
Humber River at the northeastern end of the lake.
Economy
The town is located in
Division No. 5 and is the gateway to the
Great Northern Peninsula, owing to an important highway interchange on the
Trans-Canada Highway. It is the closest major community to
Gros Morne National Park and is home to the
Deer Lake Airport.
A
hydroelectric plant was established on the Humber River in
1925 to provide electricity to a
pulp and paper paper mill in
Corner Brook.
History
The first settlers in the area arrived from
Cape Breton Island in
Nova Scotia in
1864. Originally loggers and trappers, the settlers later took up farming.
In
1922, a work camp was set up to support the International Pulp and Paper company. The camp would later become the town of Deer Lake. A formal townsite was constructed in
1925 and included a railroad terminal, churches and a small hospital. The town was incorporated in
1951.
The town's airport was built in
1955 and is one of the town's major employers. In
2004 Deer Lake Regional Airport began plans to redesign the airport terminal, due to be completed in June 2007. The primary population that the airport serves is approximately 55,000. The effect was from
Rocky Harbour to
Corner Brook and around Deer Lake.
Demographics
Population, 2006: 4,827
Population, 2001: 4,769
Population, 1996: 5,222
2001 to 2006 population change: 1.2 percent
Number of families: 1,470
Land (square kilometers): 73.23
Average earnings (for people who work year-round, full-time: $30,970 (Canadian dollars)
Median household income: $32,752
See also
★
Sublist of cities in Newfoundland and Labrador
External links
★
Official web site
★
Statistics Canada
★
A thorough history of Deer Lake and surrounding communities
★
The Humber River Estates Resort