Prince Edward Island
A Province in Canada
About Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is the smallest Canadian province, a crescent-shaped island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence known for its red sandy beaches, rolling farmland and gentle pace of life. Its capital is Charlottetown. It is famous worldwide as the setting of the novel Anne of Green Gables.
The island is low and gently rolling, with distinctive red soil rich in iron, sandy beaches and dunes, and a patchwork of farms. It is linked to the mainland by the long Confederation Bridge. The climate is humid continental, moderated by the surrounding sea.
Prince Edward Island has a relaxed rural and maritime culture, celebrated for potatoes, shellfish and a strong literary association with Lucy Maud Montgomerys Anne of Green Gables. Ceilidhs, fiddle music and a close community spirit define island life.
Home to the Mikmaq people and colonised by the French as Ile Saint-Jean and then the British, the island hosted the 1864 Charlottetown Conference that launched Canadian Confederation, earning it the title Birthplace of Confederation. It joined Canada in 1873.
Key Facts
- Its capital is Charlottetown; it is Canada's smallest province.
- It hosted the 1864 conference that began Confederation.
- It is the setting of Anne of Green Gables.
- The Confederation Bridge links it to the mainland.
Cities in Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island: Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is Prince Edward Island in?
Prince Edward Island is located in Canada.
What type of region is Prince Edward Island?
Prince Edward Island is a province of Canada.
What is Prince Edward Island known for?
Prince Edward Island is the smallest Canadian province, a crescent-shaped island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence known for its red sandy beaches, rolling farmland and gentle pace of life. Its capital is Charlottetown. It is famous worldwide as the setting of the novel Anne of Green Gables.