Abegweit, the aboriginal name for Prince Edward Island,
has been home to the Mi'kmaq for thousands of years.
The name means "Land Cradled on the Waves".
The French established a permanent colony in 1719.
The British deported the French in 1755 and
claimed the area,
then known as the "Island of Saint John".
In 1769 the Island of Saint John became a
separate British colony.
In 1799 it was given its present name, to honour
Prince Edward Augustus, of England.
Charlottetown,
was the site of the 1864 conference
that set Canadian Confederation in motion.
The island waited almost a decade before joining the
Dominion of Canada,
becoming a province on July 1, 1873.
Prince Edward Island
is located in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
It lies west of Cape Breton Island,
north of the Nova Scotia peninsula,
and east of New Brunswick.
The southern shore looks across Northumberland Strait
to mainland Canada.
The 13 km (8 mi) long Confederation Bridge
connects Prince Edward Island
and New Brunswick,
creating a fixed link with the rest of the country.
Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province.
It is only
224 kilometres long and
has an area of 5684 km˛ (2195 mi˛).
The landscape is pastoral: rolling hills, woods,
reddish white sand beaches, ocean coves and rich red soil.
The province has a population of around 136 thousand.
WEATHER
Prince Edward Island's
seasonal weather patterns are as diverse as the landscape itself.
There are 4 very distinct seasons.
From endless summer days to the icy chill of winter,
every season offers something different.
Between June and mid~October, Prince Edward Island
experiences warm summers with high temperatures
around 74 ° F (23 ° C).
The summer is mild and humid in July,
but in August, there is drier weather
and higher temperatures, up to 30 ° C.
Summer nights average above 50 ° F (14 ° C).
The weather stabilizes in mid~June, between 15~20 ° C.
The fall is very short, only 3 or 4 weeks long,
but pleasant and colorful.
The warm waters of the Northumberland Strait keep the
average heat
above 60 ° F (19 ° C) during the day.
October night temperatures average
over 40 ° F (6~8 ° C).
and is when the temperatures drop quickly, and
winter begins again.
The winter is long,
with flurries as early as late October.
Through November and December,
the temperatures are typically between 5 ° C to -5 ° C.
The Northumberland Strait fills with ice,
contributing to colder temperatures and heavier snowfall.
From as early as December until as late as April,
the island is handicapped by severe storms and blizzards.
Temperatures continue to fall until the beginning of February.
There is a 2 week period of -30 ° C,
after which the temperatures steadily rise again.
The spring is cool.
Surrounding ice keeps the island cold and snowy for a
few more weeks.
In May, temperatures can reach 25 ° C or sink as low as 0 ° C.
New life pulses from the countryside as many
varieties of spring flowers begin to bloom.
The island is brought back to life by the gentle spring breezes
which sweep across the province.
ECONOMY
Agriculture, tourism and fishing are the economic mainstays
of Prince Edward Island.
The famous red soil is rich in nutrients and ideal
for growing potatoes,
an important source of income for the province.
The economy of most rural areas is based on
small~scale agriculture.
Industrial farming is increasing
as properties are being consolidated and modernised.
Most industrial activity has to do with food processing,
although high~technology is becoming more important,
especially in the medical, electronics and agricultural fields.
About 30 fish and seafood species are caught in the waters off
Prince Edward Island,
Lobster remains the main catch, along
with cultivated mussels, herring, bluefin tuna, and oysters.
Prince Edward Island is known for its beauty,
and over 800 km of beaches.
Tourism has become a major industry on the Island
and the new bridge to the Mainland has
increased traffic.
Prince Edward Island
has become an international tourist phenomenon.
People from all over the world come to participate in
cultural events and fairs.
Prince Edward Island Business
offers
organized information, crucial for operating a small business
in Prince Edward Island
through 4 different stages
of the business life.
Each stage has its own challenges and requirements.
Here you will find valuable tools and guides to help
you make your business a success.
Determine which stage you are at,
then check out what is available to you!
SCHOOLS
The Prince Edward Island Department of Education
is the leader in ensuring equitable opportunities for
life~long learning.
The Department works with individuals, communities
and other partners
to enable them to value the past, embrace the present, and
shape the future.
The Public Education Branch:
• develops and implements English language curriculum
for the Grade 1~12 school system.
• provides support services to the Grade 1~12 system,
such as school libraries,
technology integration, special education,
guidance & counseling, alternate education programming,
site supervision,
services for the visually & hearing impaired,
and tutoring programs.
• develops quality programming while providing
resources for students in French first~language and
French immersion programs.
• administers the provincial preschool program,
providing policy and funding advice to ensure
children have a high quality early learning experience
in the kindergarten system.
The Continuing Education and Training Division
provides policy and funding advice to ensure graduates
have high~quality, cost~effective, post~secondary
learning opportunities and to ensure an accountable and
sustainable higher education system.
The division administers students' financial assistance programs,
as well as legislation to ensure quality training and
consistent standards through the apprenticeship programs
and private training schools.
The University of Prince Edward Island
offers graduate degrees in
Veterinary Medicine, Education,
Arts, Science, Business and Applied Health Sciences Research.
They also offer a
brand new Computer Science gaming program.
For more details please contact the
Prince Edward Island Department of Education.
HOSPITALITY
Prince Edward Island resembles a large playground,
with sand~boxes, water~slides, and pedal paths.
This tiny island is action~packed.
Bike through the red landscape as you take
the Confederation Trail from one end of the Island to the other.
Here everyone in the family can have fun together.
Enjoy live theatre that appeals to all ages,
an evening of musical entertainment at one of our community ceilidhs,
adventure parks, quiet green picnic places, or
traditional arts & crafts workshops.
The southern beaches have the warmest waters,
while the northern beaches are a paradise for birdwatchers,
beach~combers and wind~surfers.
Play golf at one of many championship courses.
Prince Edward Island is
rated the top golf destination in Canada.
Charlottetown, the island’s business and entertainment capital,
is also the headquarters of Prince Edward Island’s busy
tourist industry.
Known as the birthplace of
Canada, the city is alive with celebrations and
music all summer long.
The Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island
provides programs and projects to benefit the provincial tourism industry.
Its main objectives are:
• To promote and advance the tourism industry in Prince Edward Island.
• To strive for continued development and improvement of
tourism facilities and services.
• To create a wider interest in the tourism industry
among the general public in Prince Edward Island.
The Tourism Advisory Council is an industry advisory
board to the Minister of Tourism in Prince Edward Island.
It forms a collaborative partnership between the tourism industry
and the provincial and federal governments.
Whether you plan a romantic interlude,
a family adventure, a business trip,
or just some quiet time,
Prince Edward Island
promises an unforgettable experience.
No matter when you come, there is always a festival or event
taking place.
Indulge your senses in a deluxe hotel suite,
with a harbour view and oak furnishings.
Spend the night at a lighthouse in a cozy guest room.
You will find hundreds of different places to stay,
from quiet and elegant country inns, to pristine cottages
on the water. Prince Edward Island's
accommodations won't disappoint.
For more details please contact
Prince Edward Island Tourism.
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