Labrador West, Newfoundland and Labrador
Labrador West is a term referring to the twin towns of Labrador City and Wabush in Labrador, part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The towns are located in the southwest corner of Labrador, near the Quebec border.
As of 2001, the Labrador West area had a population of 9,638, down 8% from 1996.
Labrador West has been described as "a dichotomy of pristine wilderness and industrial development." "Industrial development" here refers to iron ore mining. The area is known for its rich iron ore deposits; Labrador City and Wabush were established in the 1960s to accommodate employees of the Iron Ore Company of Canada and Wabush Mines, respectively. "Pristine wilderness" refers to the large unpopulated areas surrounding the towns; the nearest populated areas of any significant size are Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Baie-Comeau, Quebec, each over 500 km away via unpaved roads. Sept-Iles, Quebec is 575 km away via the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway. Wilderness recreational opportunities in the Labrador West area include camping, fishing, hunting (particularly for caribou, black bear, and ptarmigan), hiking, boating, skiing, and snowmobiling.