Red Bay is a village in Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. As of the 2001 census, the city had a population of 264. It is located on the southern shore of Labrador. Red Bay has been designated a UNESCO Historical site because of its history, including its heritage as a Basque whaling site in the 16th century c.e.

Geography

According to the Statistics Canada, the city has a total area of 1.58 km². It's located at latitude 51.44 N., longitude 56.25 W.

Demographics

As of the Canada 2001 Census, there are 264 people, 94 private dwellings and 80 families. The population fell 4% between 1996 and 2001. The population density is 166.8/km&sup2. The racial makeup of the city is 11.4 percent aboriginal and 88.6% Caucasian.

Of the population aged 15 years or older, 82.3% are married couples, 26.5% single, and 5.6% widowed. The census tallied no divorced or separated people.

In the city the population is spread out with 15.2% under the age of 15, 15.2% from 15 to 24, 43.6% from 25 to 54, 20.8% from 55 to 74, and 3.8% who are 75 years of age or older. The median age is 39.6 years.

The average earnings of those who work is $13,374 (Canadian dollars) and $14,777 for the 20 people who worked full-year, full-time. Of the part-time workers, the men's average earnings was $15,618 and the women's average earnings was $10,355. The median household income is $26,451.

History

Between 1530 and 1600, Red Bay was a center for Basque whaling operations. Sailors from southern France and northen Spain sent 15 whaling ships and 600 men a season to the remote outpost on the Strait of Belle Isle to try to catch the right whale and bowhead whales that populated the waters there, according to Memorial University of Newfoundland.

In 1565, a ship -- believed to be the San Juan -- sank in the waters off Red Bay during a storm. Other, smaller vessels, such as whaling chalupas, have also been recovered from the waters.

Another galleon was found 25-35 feet below water in 2004. It was the fourth trans-oceanic ship to have been found in the area.

A cemetary on nearby Saddle Island holds the remains of 140 whalers. Many of the people buried there are thought to have died from drowning and exposure.

Historians believe that a decline in the whale stocks eventually led to the abandonment of the whaling site at Red Bay. Today, an interpretive center in Red Bay explains the history to visitors.

External links

• Basque whaling historical page
• Statistics Canada search page
• A visitors guide to Red Bay and the Labrador Coastal Drive