Burgeo | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Article

Burgeo

Burgeo, NL, incorporated as a town in 1950, population 1464 (2011c), 1607 (2006c).

Burgeo, NL, incorporated as a town in 1950, population 1464 (2011c), 1607 (2006c). The Town of Burgeo was a principal fishing and fish-processing centre on the southwest coast of insular Newfoundland until the cod moratorium was put in place in 1992. The name is a corruption of Virgeo ("a thousand virgins," referring to the 11 000 virgins said to be martyred in the 4th or 5th centuries) first applied to the Burgeo Islands. The main part of the community is on 2.5 km long Grandy Island, connected to the mainland by a causeway. Settled since the late 1700s, the community's only link with the rest of Newfoundland was by sea until 1979, when a road connected Burgeo to the Trans-Canada Highway. With its main industry gone, the town is struggling to survive.

Read More // Newfoundland & Labrador

Article
Burin
Article
Bonavista
Article
Baie Verte

Challenge yourself - take the CC Quiz!

The Canadian Encyclopedia is a project of Historica Canada, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization devoted to teaching Canadians more about our shared country.  We also produce the Heritage Minutes and other programs. If you believe all Canadians should have access to free, impartial, fact-checked, regularly updated information about Canada’s history and culture in both official languages, please consider donating today. All donations above $3 will receive a tax receipt.

Book a Speaker