Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador
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Gander is a Canadian town located in northeastern part of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. More specifically, Gander is within Division No. 6.
Located on the northeastern shore of Gander Lake, it is the site of Gander International Airport, an important refuelling point for transatlantic aircraft.
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History
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Gander was chosen for the construction of an airbase in 1935 due to its location close to the northeast tip of the American continent. In 1936 construction of the base began and the town started to develop. During the Second World War as many as 10,000 people were settled around the airbase. Once the war was over the air base became a civilian airport and the location of the town was moved a safe distance from the runways. The present municipality was incorporated in 1958.
After the second World War the town grew as the airport was used as a refuelling stop for transatlantic flights. Recently efforts have been made to diversify the economy from being dependant on the airport, particularly as new aircraft designs have permitted longer-range flights without the need for landing to refuel.
The importance of the Gander airport to world aviation was again recognized in the immediate hours following the September 11, 2001 attacks when all of North America's airspace was closed by NORAD, with 39 trans-atlantic flights bound for the United States and central Canadian destinations ordered to land at the airport. Over 6,600 passengers and airline crew members unexpectedly found themselves forced to stay in the Gander area for up to three days until airspace was reopened and flights resumed. Residents of Gander and surrounding communities volunteered to house, feed, and entertain the travellers in what became known as Operation Yellow Ribbon.
Demographics
According to the 2001 Statistics Canada Census:
- Population: 9,651
- % Change (1996-2001): approx. -6.9
- Dwellings: 3,993
- Area (sq. km.): 104.25
- Density (persons per sq. km.): 92.6
| North: Division No. 6, Subd. E | ||
| West: Division No. 6, Subd. E |
Gander |
East: Division No. 6, Subd. E |
| South: Division No. 6, Subd. E |
See Also
External Links
- Town of Gander (Official Site) (http://www.gandercanada.com/)