Fun Facts about Prince Edware Island
- Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province both in population and in land size. The main island is a mere 5620 square kms with approximately 152,000 residents called “islanders.”
- Despite Prince Edward Island’s small size and rural nature, it is the most developed and densely populated province in Canada.
- The Mi’kmaq First Nations (pronounced Micmac) first inhabited the island, naming it Epekwitk meaning “cradled on the waves.”
- In September 1864, Prince Edward Island hosted the Charlottetown Conference, which labeled the island as the “Birthplace of Confederation,” however, PEI did not join the Canada Confederation until 6 years later, on July 1, 1873.
- Charlottetown and Summerside are PEI’s only two cities.
- The island’s famous red soil gets its color from the high iron content which oxidizes when exposed to the air.
- Agriculture is PEI’s largest industry followed by tourism then fishing. PEI grows one third of Canada’s potatoes.
- Over 1 million tourists visit the small island each year.
- There are 33 golf courses on the island and over 90 sandy beaches. Sixty provincial parks, along with 1 national park, can be found here as well. PEI is well known for its heritage roads, wineries, breweries, arts, culture, history, and culinary experiences.
- The red fox is the island’s provincial animal, the blue jay its provincial bird, the red oak its provincial tree and the lady slipper its provincial flower. tree.
- Prince Edward Island has often been referred to as the “Gentle Island”.
- PEI is the birthplace of Lucy Maude Montgomery, author of the famed Anne of Green Gables book.
