Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is an island province of Canada. It is the smallest province by both land area and population, but it has the highest population density in Canada. The island has several nicknames: "Garden of the Gulf", "Birthplace of Confederation" and "Cradle of Confederation". Its capital and largest city is Charlottetown. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces.

Historically, the island has formed an integral part of the Mi'kmaw homeland, Mi'kma'ki. In 1604, it was colonized by the French as part of the colony of Acadia, where it became known as Isle St-Jean (St. John's Island). It was later ceded to the British at the conclusion of the Seven Years' War in 1763 and became part of the colony of Nova Scotia. In 1769, St. John's Island became its own British colony and its name was changed to Prince Edward Island (PEI) in 1798. PEI hosted the Charlottetown Conference in 1864 to discuss a union of the Maritime provinces; however, the conference became the first in a series of meetings which led to Canadian Confederation on July 1, 1867. Prince Edward Island initially balked at Confederation but, facing bankruptcy from the Land Question and construction of a railroad, joined as Canada's seventh province on July 1, 1873.

According to Statistics Canada, the province of Prince Edward Island had 182,508 residents in 2025. Farming is central to the island's economy; it produces 25% of Canada's potatoes. Other important industries include fisheries, tourism, aerospace, biotechnology, information technology and renewable energy. Prince Edward Island is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, about ten kilometres (6.2 mi) across the Northumberland Strait from both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It is about 200 kilometres (120 mi) north of Halifax and 600 kilometres (370 mi) east of Quebec City. It has a land area of 5,686.03 square kilometres (2,195.39 sq mi), and is the 104th-largest island in the world and Canada's 23rd-largest island. It is the only Canadian province consisting entirely of islands.

Etymology

The island is known in the Mi’kmaw language as Abegweit or Epekwitk, meaning "land cradled on the waves." When French colonists first settled there, they called it Île Saint-Jean, or "St. John's Island." Later, in 1798, it was renamed after Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, the father of Queen Victoria. In Scottish Gaelic, some people call it Eilean a’ Phrionnsa, meaning "the Island of the Prince."

Geography

Main article: Geography of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is found in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, west of Cape Breton Island, north of the Nova Scotia peninsula, and northeast of New Brunswick. Its southern edge touches the Northumberland Strait. The island is the most crowded part of Canada, with many people living in a small area.

Climate

The island has a maritime climate, shaped by the warm waters of the surrounding Gulf of St. Lawrence. This makes its weather milder than in nearby places like New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The weather changes often, with no single type lasting very long.

In summer, daytime temperatures usually reach about 23 °C (73 °F), but sometimes they can get as warm as 30 °C (86 °F). In winter, daytime temperatures average around −3.3 °C (26 °F). The island gets about 855 millimetres (33.7 in) of rain each year and around 2.85 metres (9.4 ft) of snow. Winters are long but not as cold as places farther inland, with frequent changes between cold and mild air causing temperature swings and many storms.

Geology

Long ago, between 250 and 300 million years back, rivers carried sand and mud into the area that is now the Gulf of St. Lawrence, forming layers that became the island's base rocks. When big glaciers melted about 15,000 years ago, they left behind bits of rock and soil. As the land rose up after the heavy ice left, the island rose higher above the water.

Water supply

Prince Edward Island gets all its drinking water from underground sources. The city of Charlottetown uses water from thirteen wells to supply its people. Some old pipes in Charlottetown may still have lead, so workers are replacing them. The island’s water is checked often to make sure it is safe to drink.

Flora and fauna

Prince Edward Island once had animals like moose, bear, caribou, and wolves. However, these animals are no longer found there because of hunting and changes to their homes. Today, you can see red foxes, coyotes, blue jays, and robins on the island. Skunks and raccoons, which are not originally from the island, are also common there.

Some animals on the island need extra protection, such as piping plovers, American eels, bobolinks, little brown bats, and beach pinweed. In 2008, a new type of fungus was discovered in a freshwater creek on the island. North Atlantic right whales, one of the rarest whale species, have been seen more often near Prince Edward Island in recent years.

History

Main article: History of Prince Edward Island

Further information: Monarchy in Prince Edward Island § History

Mi'kmaw district

Main article: Mi'kma'ki

Further information: First Nations in Canada

The Mi'kmaq are the original people of what is now Prince Edward Island, calling their land Mi'kma'ki. They had their own way of governing, with leaders called Saqamaq and a council of women called Saqama'sgw. Stories from long ago tell of a hero named Glooscap who helped create the island. The Mi'kmaq lived in peace with nearby groups and were part of a larger group called the Wabanaki Confederacy.

French colony

In 1534, a sailor named Jacques Cartier was the first European to see the island. In 1604, France claimed the area and named it Île Saint-Jean. The Mi'kmaq welcomed the French as friends. During the 1700s, there were fights between French and British forces. After the British took over, many French people, called Acadians, had to leave. Some ships carrying them sank, and many lives were lost.

British colony

The British named the island St. John's Island and later changed it to Prince Edward Island in 1798. The island became a separate colony in 1769. Many people from Scotland moved there, making it a place with strong Scottish traditions. In 1853, the island tried to buy the land from owners, but ran out of money.

Confederation

In 1864, Prince Edward Island hosted a meeting that helped start Canada. However, the island did not join Canada right away. In 1873, after talks, Prince Edward Island became part of Canada. Today, it is known as the "Birthplace of Confederation" and has many places to remember this history, like the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is home to a diverse population. Most people there have European roots, with many families coming from places like Scotland, England, Ireland, and France. The island also has a small number of people from other backgrounds, including Chinese Canadians.

The most common languages spoken on the island are English and French. Many families there have been speaking these languages for generations.

Main article: Demographics of Prince Edward Island § Ethnic Origins

Main article: Demographics of Prince Edward Island § Languages

See also: Acadian French

Main article: Demographics of Prince Edward Island § Religion

Education

Prince Edward Island has two school districts: one for English-speaking students called the Public Schools Branch, and another for French-speaking students called the Commission scolaire de langue française. The English district has 10 high schools and 54 other schools, while the French district has 6 schools for all grades. About 22% of students learn in French, which is one of the highest numbers in the country.

The island has three public colleges and universities. The University of Prince Edward Island is the only public university and is located in Charlottetown. It replaced two older schools, Prince of Wales College and St. Dunstan's University. The university also has the Atlantic Veterinary College, which is the only place in the region where students can study to become veterinarians.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of Prince Edward Island and Politics of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island has its own government that looks after important things like health, schools, and jobs. The main city, Charlottetown, is where the government works.

The island is a part of Canada’s system of government, with a king representing the country and a local leader called the Lieutenant Governor doing most of the work. The real leader, called the Premier, is chosen by the people who vote. There are 27 elected members who help make decisions for the island.

Administrative divisions

See also: List of counties of Prince Edward Island and List of parishes in Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is split into three counties, which help organize the island for counting people and information.

Municipalities

See also: List of municipalities in Prince Edward Island

Different kinds of towns and cities make up the island’s municipalities. Rules about how new towns can be made were updated in 2017.

Health care and sanitation

See also: Health care in Canada

Prince Edward Island has one health authority called Health PEI. It gets money and follows rules set by the Department of Health and Wellness.

Many homes and businesses on the island use central sewage systems. These are run by local governments or private companies. Industries often have their own wastewater treatment. Experts from the Department of Environment, Water and Climate Change help make sure these systems work well. The IRAC oversees water and sewer services under the Environmental Protection Act.

Since around 1900, the city of Charlottetown has had a central sewer system. Older ways of disposing of waste hurt the nearby Hillsborough River and Charlottetown Harbour. By 1974, a wastewater treatment plant was built along with pumping stations and pipes.

For many years, Prince Edward Island did not offer certain medical services in its hospitals. Women had to travel to other provinces or pay for services themselves. In 2016, the government opened a clinic to provide these services locally. Now, these services are available within the province.

Transportation

Prince Edward Island's transportation system includes seaports in Charlottetown, Summerside, Borden, Georgetown, and Souris. These ports connect to a railway system and two main airports in Charlottetown and Summerside for travel to mainland North America. The Prince Edward Island Railway was stopped in 1989, and highways were improved instead.

Before May 1997, ferry services linked the island to the mainland. One ferry ran year-round between Borden and Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick, while another ran between Wood Islands and Caribou, Nova Scotia during certain seasons. A third ferry operates year-round between Souris and Cap-aux-Meules, Quebec. In May 1997, the Confederation Bridge opened, connecting Borden-Carleton to Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick. This bridge, the longest over ice-covered waters, replaced the need for one of the ferry services.

The island has many roads, more than any other Canadian province. There are strict rules about signs along the roads, and billboards are not allowed. The Charlottetown Airport and the Summerside Airport serve travelers. There is also a long trail for biking and hiking called the Confederation Trail, which follows an old railway line.

Culture

Prince Edward Island has a rich culture in art, music, and writing. Schools help support these traditions, and there is a big arts festival called the Charlottetown Festival at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

A famous writer from the island is Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote Anne of Green Gables. The story is very popular, and there is even a musical play that performs every year at the Charlottetown Festival. The real house from the book can be visited in Cavendish.

The island also has many music traditions, including Celtic, folk, and rock. Well-known musicians from Prince Edward Island include Gene MacLellan, Catherine MacLellan, and Stompin' Tom Connors. The island holds several festivals, such as the Island Fringe Festival and the Cavendish Beach Music Festival.

Prince Edward Island has teams for ice hockey and basketball, and it has hosted the Canada Games three times. The UPEI Panthers and Holland Hurricanes are college teams that play in local sports leagues.