Conception Bay South, Nfld, Town, pop 19 772 (2001c), 19 265 (1996c), 17 590 (1991c), area 59.27 km2, inc 1973, is located on the SE shore of CONCEPTION BAY on the AVALON PENINSULA. The town, 32 km long, 5 km wide, comprises a number of smaller former settlements that ring the shoreline: Topsail, Chamberlains, Manuels, Long Pond, Foxtrap, Kelligrews, Upper Gullies, Lawrence Pond and Seal Cove. Most of the constituent settlements were founded by fishermen before 1800. Crops were grown in the areas backing the fishing sites and sold in nearby ST JOHN'S.
The area, dotted by numerous ponds and with good seafront beaches, is also a popular summer resort for St John's residents. Since WWI most of the labour force has commuted to St John's. Small-scale fishing, logging and farming is still carried on; but the local service industry makes up the balance of the community's employment.