Exploits Valley

The Exploits Valley is a Canadian valley in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in the central part of the island of Newfoundland.

Natural environment

Formed by glaciation, the Exploits River flows eastward through the valley, framed by low hills from the high plateau in the centre of the island. The lower part of the valley hosts a dense, primarily evergreen, forest and hosts large mammals such as woodland caribou, moose and black bears, as well as habitat for smaller animals and birds.

Human settlement

Human settlement came to the area several thousand years ago and the Beothuk Nation inhabited the region, living in fishing camps on the banks of the river during the summer while maintaining winter hunting camps at the upper end of the valley at Red Indian Lake. The river was used as a travel corridor as they spent summers fishing near the river's discharge point in the Bay of Exploits.

European settlement came first to coastal regions in the Bay of Expoits and Notre Dame Bay area, notably the fishing town of Twillingate, which is located on two neighbouring islands at the eastern edge of Notre Dame Bay. Its sheltered harbour and strategic position made it an important fishing port for more than 200 years until the fishing of northern cod was prohibited in 1992. During the 18th century, it became known as the "Capital of the North" acting as the centre of trade for Labrador fisheries.