Red Bay Basque Whaling Station

　　  The Red Bay Basque Whaling Station is situated on the southern coast of Labrador in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, functioning as both a small fishing village and a whaling station. From 1550 to the early 17th century, Red Bay was the most important whaling station in Labrador. It is now an archaeological site and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

　　  Established by Basque sailors in the 16th century along the shore of the Strait of Belle Isle at the northeastern tip of Canada, the Red Bay Basque Whaling Station is an archaeological site that provides the earliest, most complete, and best-preserved evidence of European whaling traditions. Those who built the station in the 1530s referred to it as "Gran Baya." They used it as a base for coastal whaling, butchering, boiling whale blubber to produce oil, and storage. The station later became a major source of whale oil for lighting in Europe. The site was only used during the summer months. Today, its remains include rendering ovens, a cooperage, a wharf, temporary living quarters, three Spanish galleons, four small Peruvian boats, and a cemetery. Underwater, there are also shipwrecks and deposits of whale bones.

　　  The Red Bay Basque Whaling Station was in use for about 70 years until the local whale population was depleted, leaving behind a wealth of archaeological artifacts. It is these historical items that make Red Bay one of the most valuable underwater archaeological sites in the Americas.

　　  Red Bay Basque Whaling Station Reason to Visit: One of the newest World Heritage Sites as of 2013 Continent: North America Country/Region: Canada Province/State: Newfoundland and Labrador