Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island, often called P.E.I, is a small island province in the Canadian maritime region. The smallest province in both area and population, it is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Originally part of the French colony of Acadia, it was turned over to the British in 1763 under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. The next major group that settle in PEI were the Scottish settlers who are still a majority of the population today.

The island is named for the Duke of Kent and Strathearn, England, Prince Edward (1767 – 1820), forth son of King George III. Prince Edward is the brother of Queen Victoria who is the mother of the current Queen Elizabeth.

The surrounding gulf waters make the island's climate milder than much of mainland Canada. Average temperatures range from 19 degrees Fahrenheit in July to 67 degrees in January. Generally damp, Prince Edward Island sees an average of 868 millimeters of rain and about 340 centimeters of snow each year.

Most of the island is covered by gently rolling hills and rich arable farmland. The northern shore is edged by red sandstone cliffs and white sand beaches lie along much of the southern coast.

Lighthouses abound on Prince Edward Island , and are a vacationers attraction and a treat just to find and travel too. Often you will find local culture, entertainment, gifts and fresh local food along the way on your trip to visit a lighthouse as well as at the site of the lighthouse itself.

Prince Edward Island is the home of the famous charater Anne of Green Gables. Visitors from around the world travel to Prince Edward Island to visit the home and partake in the many activities and events that are put on throughout the year.

The following people are linked to Prince Edward Island or have made the island famous in one way or another.

• - Meaghan Fellows - actress who made Anne of Green Gables famous in the movie series
• - Lucy Maud Montgomery- born in Clifton (now New London) P.E.I. – author of Anne of Green Gables and 20 or more other books.
• - Gene MacLellan – Musician and song writer
• - Stompin Tom Connors – musician an song writer, most notable P.E.I. song “Bud the Spud”
• - Robert Harris – artist
• - Martha MacIsaac- actress
• - Stay tuned for more to come

PEI is an island that can meet the needs of the vacationer, adventurer, historian and overall fun seeker in anyone. The major special interest places and events include:

• - Ann of Green Gables
• - Seal Sightings
• - Deep Sea Fishing
• - Culture that oozes from the soil itself
• - Lighthouses
• - Shipwrecks and stories abound
  • - Fall Flavours Festival: Annual Fall Festival in Charlottetown