Located in Newfoundland Labrador, in the east of the country, the Geopark covers over 280 km of rugged coastline full of remarkable views on caves, arches and sea stacks. Sites within the boundary of the Geopark bear witness to the region’s geological history which has shaped the land, its human inhabitants and their culture. The area lies entirely with the Avalon terrane of the Appalachian Orogen, which is dominated by a complex assemblage of Neoproterozoic sedimentary, volcanic and plutonic rocks. The coastal geology offers a unique opportunity to observe, study, and celebrate one of the most significant transitions in Earth’s history: the Ediacaran Period, and its associated rise of animal life. With rocks over a half a billion years old, the Geopark is host to some of the most spectacular and exceptionally preserved Ediacaran fossil sites on Earth.
The area has a population of about 8000 people. While there are no Indigenous communites with Land Claims within the proposed Geopark boundaries, the current population comprises descendants of English, French, Scotish, and other European immigrants. There are 27 communities within the region, including seven incorporated municipalities. Most communities are situated along the coast, the largest being the historic community of Bonavista, with a population of approximately 4000. The Bonavista Peninsula’s economic development has historically been based on the fishing industry. Today, 25 percent of the economic activity is derived from the tourism industry.
