10 Interesting Facts About Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador

Facts About Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador

Facts About Gander

  • In 2017, the 103 Search and Rescue Squadron, RCAF received the Freedom of the Town award.
  • Gander is a town located in the northeastern part of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Gander Located on the northeastern shore of Gander Lake, it is the site of Gander International Airport, once an important refuelling stop for transatlantic aircraft.
  • Most of the streets in Gander are named after famous aviators, including Alcock and Brown, Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, Eddie Rickenbacker, Marc Garneau and Chuck Yeager.
  • The town area of Gander is 104.25 km2.
  • Gander was chosen for the construction of an airport in 1935 because it is very close to the great circle route between New York and London. In 1936, construction of the base began, and the town started to develop. On 11 January 1938, Captain Douglas Fraser made the first landing at “Newfoundland Airport,” now known as Gander International Airport.
  • The Estimated Population of Gander is 11,688.
  • Gander was the site of a major aircraft accident, Arrow Air Flight 1285, on 12 December 1985. 256 people were killed in the disaster, making it the deadliest air crash ever to happen in Canada.
  • Gander is 128 m above sea level.
  • The town of Gander was once known as the “Crossroads of the World,” due to its perfectly positioned airport.

 

Facts About Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador
Facts About Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador