Prince Edward Island (PEI) is one of the three Maritime
Provinces of Canada. It is the smallest province in both area and population.
Making just 0.1 percent of Canada’s total land area, PEI has a population of
more than 1.7lakhs. Its capital and the largest city is Charlottetown. PEI is
known by several names- ‘Garden of the Gulf’, ‘Million Acre Farm’, ‘Spud
Island’, and ‘Birthplace of Confederation’.
The island is part of the lands of the Mi’kmaq people.
Explored by Europeans in the 16th Century, the French claimed all the lands of
the Maritimes in 1604 and French colonists arrived in 1720. By conquest, the
British claimed all of the lands including Prince Edward Island in 1763. It
became the British colony of St. John Island in 1769 and joined the Canadian
Confederation on July 1, 1873.
The provincial economy is dominated by the seasonal
industries of agriculture, tourism, and the fishery. Agriculture is one of the
most important industries, and potatoes the most important crop. Construction,
primary resource-related manufacturing, and services are the other major
industries of PEI. Since 1945, through exploiting the appeal of PEI’s unspoiled
landscape and sandy beaches, tourism has emerged as a major industry, growing
significantly in the last three decades. Minimum wage per hour in this
province- 12.85CAD.
Canada’s smallest province has big attractions for tourists
from all over the world.
Prince Edward Island National Park- The 37-mile park has many
scenic white and red sand beaches. The park also hosts the Greenwich
Interpretation Centre, which features 20 interactive and multimedia exhibits
about the region, and the 10,000 years of history that shaped it.
Confederation Trail- it is a 435km walking, cycling, and
snowmobile trail that runs from one tip of PEI to the other. Cyclists come here
every year. Several waterfront villages are also near it, so you can hop off,
have a meal, see the local life.
Confederation Bridge- the longest bridge in the world
(12.9km). Locally known as the ‘Fixed Link,’ the bridge connects PEI to New
Brunswick and the rest of Canada, allowing visitors to drive to the island
rather than arriving by ferry.
Victoria Row- it is a popular shopping destination in
Charlottetown. While here, you can watch the Historic Victorian buildings,
shop, eat while enjoying the weather, and take home locally made wares as
souvenirs.
Basin Head Provincial Park- One of the best beaches in Canada
is in here. The beach is called the “singing sands,” because the fine sand
squeaks as you walk on it.
