Mainland, Newfoundland and Labrador

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{{Short description|Canadian community}}

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Mainland (known in French as La Grand'Terre) is a local service district and designated place in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is on the western shore of the Port au Port Peninsula approximately {{convert|50|km|miles}} from the Stephenville International Airport.

Mainland is a coastal community, bordered by both the ocean and forest. The main industry in the community has traditionally been fishing, but currently (2016) a large portion of the inhabitants leave the community seasonally to earn income.

The community is home to one of six Francophone schools in the province, Centre Scolaire et Communautaire Ste-Anne (École Sainte-Anne), which serves students from kindergarten to grade 12. The school is adjoined by L'Association Régionale de la Côte Ouest (ARCO) and L'Héritage de l'Île Rouge.

The predominant religion practiced is Roman Catholic. The chapel (St. Ann's Chapel) is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador.

There is a small island clearly visible from the town, named L'Île Rouge (Red Island). Local folklore is that it was given the name, as it appears to glow red during sunset at a certain point in the year. The island is uninhabited and with the exception of birds, holds no wildlife.

The nearest towns are Three Rock Cove and Cape St. George. The nearest large shopping center is Stephenville. The nearest hospital is also located in Stephenville.

Mainland has the status of designated place in Canadian census data. In the Canada 2006 Census, the community had a population of 311.[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=1302&SR=76&S=1&O=A&RPP=25&PR=10&CMA=0 Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places: Newfoundland and Labrador].

The community is historically notable as one of the island's centres of Franco-Newfoundlander settlement and culture.[http://www.heritage.nf.ca/society/portauport.html "Port-au-Port Peninsula"]. Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage. In 2009, CJRM-FM, a francophone community radio station from Labrador City, applied to add a rebroadcaster in the community.[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-431.htm#1 Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2009-431].

After a successful community fundraising campaign, Bell Mobility agreed to install a cellphone tower to serve Mainland and nearby Three Rock Cove.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.macleans.ca/news/these-two-newfoundland-towns-finally-have-cell-service-after-taking-matters-into-their-own-hands/|title=These two Newfoundland towns finally have cell service after taking matters into their own hands |first1=Marie-Danielle |last1=Smith|date=April 22, 2021|magazine= Maclean's |accessdate=August 6, 2021}}