It is hard to explain Newfoundland and Labrador to Americans. Hell, it's hard to explain it to Canadians if they've never been there.
It's a beautiful place, though historically a very poor place until more recently, as offshore oil revenues have pumped significant money into the region.
Part of its previous economic decline can be traced to the overfishing of the cod stocks in the surrounding Atlantic Ocean. A long and complicated story, a part of which has to do with the decline of what are called the outports, which are any ports not St. John's, the provincial capital and principal city.
As an American, I've come upon my knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador through my wife, who was born and raised there. We go back as often as we can for so many reasons: the people, the scenery, the music, the incredible local culture in general.
One of the aforementioned outports is a place called Bay de Verde, a small community up the coast from St. John's, where my wife's mother was born.
The picture above is of this place taken very recently by my sister-in-law. By the look of things, you wouldn't think much has changed over time.
(Cross-posted at Lippmann's Ghost.)
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