St. John's, and the province as a whole, was gravely affected in the 1990s by the collapse of the Northern cod fishery, which had been the driving force of the provincial economy for hundreds of years. After a decade of high unemployment rates and depopulation, the city's proximity to the Hibernia, Terra Nova and White Rose oil fields has led to an economic boom that has spurred population growth and commercial development. As a result, the St. John's area now accounts for about half of the province's economic output. COUNT 4
QSN1 When did the Northern cod fishery collapse? ANS1 1990s QSN2 What led to an economic boom in St. John's? ANS2 Hibernia, Terra Nova and White Rose oil fields QSN3 For how long did the Northern cod fishery provide a stable economy for St. John's? ANS3 hundreds of years QSN4 How long did unemployment rates and depopulation suffer in St. John's? ANS4 decade