Ramea is an island community of one thousand two hundred and fifty (1,250) located six (6) kilometres off the south west coast of Newfoundland, Canada. It is located on one of a group of islands containing ancient granite rock formations similar to those in northeastern Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. The people who settled the islands early in the nineteenth century originally established several small independent communities on the islands. In the early 1940's, all inhabitants moved to Ramea, with its excellent harbour and strategic location for exploiting the fishery. Settlers also came from several communities along the south coast of Newfoundland and directly from England.

The community has had a long and proud history as a fish processing and trading centre. The firm John Penney & Sons was established in the mid 1800's and operated for over a century, trading worldwide in Europe, New England, West Indies, Brazil and elsewhere. Fishery Products International has operated a major deep sea processing plant in the community for nearly a decade. With the drastic decline in traditional fish stocks, the community is now searching out new directions in the fishery and diversifying its economy.

Ramea has always been a very peaceful and cohesive community, which is still very much evident today. It has an exceptionally low crime rate and a community spirit that is enviable. Its residents have a strong sense of pride and attachment to the town. The community combines an old world atmosphere with a full range of modern community services. It is surrounded by spectacular scenery and has easy access to wilderness resources such as striking fjords, caribou herds, seabird colonies and magnificent rivers.

The islands of Ramea are located mid-distance along the south coast of Newfoundland, between Channel-Port aux Basques and the Burin Peninsula. They have a strategic location for gaining access to the marine resources of the Atlantic Ocean and to shipping lanes to the eastern seaboard of North America, the Great Lakes and Europe.

There are three (3) communities in the near vicinity; Burgeo, about twenty (20) kilometres to the northwest and Grey River and Francois to the northeast. Close ties have always existed between these four (4) communities. Together, they pursue common regional economic development objectives through the Penguin Area Development Association.

The people of Ramea have a traditional attachment to White Bear Bay and White Bear River (see Map 2) which has its headwaters seventy (70) kilometres inland. They have built a second community of cabins on the river and have used the watershed for hunting g, fishing and recreation since the 1800's.