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The Province

PEI is the perfect vacation spot. Thousands of tourists choose this beautiful Atlantic Province. Many tourists are return visitors who could not wait to come back to this idyllic holiday destination. As the smallest and greenest Canadian province, Prince Edward Island is an island paradise. PEI provides an intimate location for that well-deserved getaway. The province is Canada’s smallest in size and population – just 141,000 residents.

Birthplace of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of the famous novel, “Anne of Green Gables,” Prince Edward Island is a favorite travel destination for fans of Anne. Tourists from countries around the world have gathered on the island to celebrate this literary treasure. Yet the ‘Garden of the Gulf’ is a treasure unto itself.

With its green rolling hills and pastoral landscape, white sandy beaches and red sandstone, the province is an island of contrasts that never ceases to delight the senses. The region can also claim to be the “Birthplace of Confederation.” This charming island has something for everyone – beautiful beaches for a romantic stroll, outdoor fun on land and sea, fascinating museums, festivals for the whole family, 10 of the top 100 golf courses in Canada – and much more. If you love lighthouses, you will love this island spot. The province has over 50 lighthouses and some of the locations even offer overnight accommodations.

The ocean’s bounty and the island’s rich, red soil produce the freshest ingredients for delectable meals. The island’s restaurants rival fine dining establishments anywhere in the country. From enjoying the magnificent morning sunrise to fine dining or a cozy campfire under an indigo night sky, every day is ‘a perfect day’ in this picturesque province.

The People

Over 75% of islanders are of Scottish, Irish, or English descent and, at least 15%, can trace their roots back to French origins. Four percent of the island’s population are of German descent and 3% have Dutch roots. In recent years, more immigrants from Asia and Africa are making their home in this Atlantic Province.

The Mi’kmaq were the first people to live in the area. As they hunted and fished, they moved from place to place throughout the island. The Mi’kmaq named the island “Epekwitk.”

The Europeans changed the pronunciation to ‘Abegweit’ (land cradled on the waves). The natives believed that the island was formed by the Great Spirit placing dark red, crescent-shaped clay on the blue waters. Even today, the province still possesses that sense of magic and mystery.

In 1534, Jacques Cartier, a French explorer, discovered the island. In 1603, Samuel Champlain, another French adventurer, visited the area. In the early 1700s, a French colony was formed, but in 1745, the English took control and expelled the French farmers.

In the 1760s, the land was divided into large lots and given to British citizens. In 1769, the private proprietors, who owned the lots, lobbied together for the island’s independence and were granted their own administration and Governor. In 1799, the island was renamed in honor of Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, and father of Queen Victoria.

In 1803, 800 Scottish settlers arrived from Belfast. By the mid-1800s, half the island’s population could trace their roots back to the Scottish arrival. In 2010, PEI has a diverse population in which different cultures co-exist in harmony and come together to create a vibrant and distinct society. A friendly people in a friendly place!