Twillingate is a town of about 3,000 inhabitants situated on two neighboring islands in northern Newfoundland, accessible from Route 340. It was founded on September 30th, 1965 and it's name comes from the French word "Toulinquet" which was given to the islands by French fishermen, who named them after a group of islands off the French coast, near Brest, also called Toulinquet.

Twillingate is at the mouth of the Exploits River where it flows into Notre Dame Bay. The islands provided an excellent sheltered harbour and easy access to the rich fishing grounds nearby. This is what most likely promted the use of the location as a seasonal fishing port during the 15th and 16th centuries, althrought there were no recorded European settlers until the 17th century. By the winter of 1739, there were 152 people - the "livyers" or permanent settlers - living in Twillingate. They were mostly fishermen and their families from the West Country in England.

As the population grew, Twillingate became an important fishing community - the "Capital of the North." It was a busy trade and service centre for Labrador and the northern shore fisheries for more than two centuries.

One of the most prominent historical events of Twillingate history was its local newspaper - The Twillingate Sun which served the Twillingate district from the 1880's to 1950's. Today The Pilot, a newspaper published in Lewisporte serves the area with it's "Island's Collection" segment.

The Sun was a robust and professional newspaper that covered not just local & provincial but international news as well.

Since the moratorium on fishing northern cod was announced on July 2, 1992, Twillingate, like many small communities in Newfoundland, has been forced to look to other industries. Tourism has become one of the main attractions, due to the landscape, wildlive and the people. Whales, Icebergs, Hiking, Kyaking, Boat Tours, Berry Picking and meals to die for all are attractions which many locals are exposed to on a dialy basis.