Ramea, Newfoundland and Labrador (NST) is a small town located on Northwest Island, one of a group of five major islands located off the south coast of the island of Newfoundland, Canada. The Island is approximately 3.1 km long by 1 km wide. The remaining islands in the archipelago are Great (or Big) Island, Middle Island, Harbour Island, South West Island, and The Great Columbier.

History

The community, originally settled in the early 1800s for its proximity to rich fishing grounds and safe anchorages, was once a thriving fishing village. The town of Ramea was incorporated in 1951. Since the cod moratorium of 1992, the isolated community has struggled to survive, having declined to about 50% of its peak population of 1,120 in the 1970s.

Wind Energy

In 2004 Ramea was chosen for the site for

Canada's first wind-diesel demonstration project was completed with the support of CETC-Ottawa. Six 65 kW wind turbines were installed on the island of Ramea , Newfoundland . The objective of the project was to demonstrate that the Wind-Diesel Integrated Control System (WDICS) can be used to displace diesel power generation by introducing wind to the island's grid and to show significant energy efficiency and reliability for northern, remote or isolated locations.

CANMET Energy Technology Centre-Ottawa (CETC-Ottawa)

The Wind-Diesel pilot program generates around 1 million kWh electricity / yr and removes approximately 750 tonnes of emissions annually.

Ramea has recently been selected as the pilot site for a Wind-Hydrogen power system. The project is being undertaken by Hydro in partnership with Natural Resources Canada, Memorial University, University of New Brunswick and Frontier Power Systems.

Culture

Demographics

Population in 2001	754
Population change from 1996	-30.2%
Median age	42.1
Number of families	255
Number of married couples	185
Total number of dwellings	290
Catholic	0.1%
Protestant	98.7%
Land Area (sq. km.)	1.89

Statistics Canada detail demographics follow link here

Flora and Fauna

Ramea is home to a large number of plants including the purple pitcher plant, bakeapple, ... Also the island and surrounding islands serve as a fall and winter home to many migratory seabirds.

Activities

There are a number of walks on the island, including a circular walk around the back of the island that passes by Northwest Head lighthouse, one of the few remaining maned lighthouses in Canada. The walk also includes the Wind-Diesel plant.

Walking to the island's highest point on top of Man O'War Hill offers excellent views of archipelago and across to White Bear Bay.

Every year the islands plays host to a traditional music festival on the second weekend of August.

Kayak trips around archipelago are available as well as trips to neighbouring White Bear Bay.

There is a small softball field near the school, in which many of the town's youth enjoy themselves at the sport in their spare time. The school's own team, the St. Boniface Bobcats, were the winners of the boy's AAA softball regionals for southwest Newfoundland in fall of 2007.

Many people living in the community enjoy hunting different species of seabirds, such as Eider Ducks and Murres (Turres).

Neighbouring communities

West - Burgeo East - Grey River

References

See also

• List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador
• List of people of Newfoundland and Labrador

External links

• Explore Newfoundland and Labrador
• Marital structure and genetic heterogeneity of Ramea Island, Newfoundland
• St Boniface All Grade School
• Eastern Outdoors Kayaking and tourist information centre
• Senior Puffin Museum