I have been to Prince Edward Island (PEI) four times – once as a kid, twice with my kids and a few years ago on a trip to cycle the length of the island with my husband. PEI never disappoints, especially in summer with all the great beaches.
Here is another in my ongoing facts series – 30 fun and interesting facts about Prince Edward Island.
Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island. In 2021 it had a population of 38,809.
Charlottetown is considered to be the Birthplace of Confederation. This year, the city is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference – an event that paved the way to Confederation and the founding of Canada in 1867.
The Mi’kmaqs were the first people to live on Prince Edward Island. They called the island Epekwik – meaning resting on the waves.
The island was named Prince Edward in 1799 in honour of Queen Victoria’s father – Edward, Duke of Kent.
Charlottetown takes its name from Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.
The population of Prince Edward Island is approximately 164,318 in July 2021. About 46% of the population lives in a city or town, while the rest of the population lives in a rural setting.
There are four Members of Parliament from Prince Edward Island out of a total of 305 seats. There is also a 27 seat Legislative Assembly in PEI. The premier of PEI in 2020 is Dennis King, a Conservative.
Prince Edward Island is 220 kilometres long by six to sixty-four kilometres wide. There is no place on the island that is more than 16 kilometres from the sea.
The 273 kilometre Confederation Trail – is open to walkers, cyclists, runners and wheelchairs in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter. It takes you from one tip of the island to the other on old railway beds.
There is a new trail in Prince Edward Island called The Island Walk, modeled after the Camino in Spain. It covers 700 kilometres over 32 sections.
Read: How to Spend 5 Days Cycling PEI
Getting to Prince Edward Island
There is ferry service from Wood Island, PEI to Caribou, Nova Scotia eight months of the year. In the summer, there is also a five hour crossing from Souris, PEI to the Magdalen Islands in Quebec.
The Confederation Bridge completed in 1997 joins PEI to New Brunswick. It is the longest bridge in the world over ice covered waters. It costs $50.25 (2022 prices) one way or round trip for a car. You only pay when leaving the island.
Interesting facts about Prince Edward Island weather
The highest temperature ever recorded in PEI was 36.7°C (98°F) on August 19, 1935 in Charlottetown.
The lowest temperature ever recorded in PEI was -37.2°C (-35°F) on January 26, 1884 in Kilmahumaig.
The most snow to ever fall in one day is 48 cm(19 inches) on February 7, 1956.
The single day record for rainfall is 106 mm (4.2 inches) on October 10, 1967.
On the summer solstice, the sun rises in Charlottetown, at 5:20 AM and sets at 9:08 PM.
On the winter solstice, the sun rises, again in Charlottetown, at 7:52 AM and sets at 4:28 PM.
Beaches on Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is famous for its beaches. With over 800 kilometres of beaches, it’s hard to pick just one but vacay.ca has made the call. It names Singing Sands Beach in Basin Head Provincial Park the number one beach in Canada – high praise indeed.
The highest point on PEI is just 152 metres above sea level at Springton in Queen’s County.
Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908, was written by PEI native, Lucy Maud Montgomery. It’s set in the province near Cavendish Beach. You can visit the house that inspired the book – now a National Historic Site.
The musical – Anne of Green Gables first played at the Confederation Center for the Arts in 1965.
The harvesting of Irish moss, a product harvested for its carrageenan – a thickening agent, has been in steady decline for years. In the past, upwards of 250 people would harvest the Irish moss after a bad storm when it would wash up on the beach.
Potatoes are big in PEI. They are number one for farm cash receipts. In 2013, about 89,000 acres of potatoes were planted.
The median age in PEI in 2021 was 42.4. Compare that to 25.1 – the median age in 1972. By 2042, the median age is projected to be 49.2.
The blue jay is the provincial bird, in part because they’re hardy and can survive the winter.
The Lady’s Slipper is the provincial flower.
Lobster season happens twice a year but in different parts of the province. The first runs from May 1st until the end of June, and the second from mid-August to mid-October.
PEI is on the Atlantic Time Zone.
The HST – harmonized tax rate in PEI is 15%.
I have eaten one of the best meals of my life in PEI – at the Inn at Bay Fortune.
Further reading about interesting facts in Canada
- 145 Weird, Fun and Interesting Facts About Canada
- 29 Fun & Interesting Facts About Regina
- Interesting & Fun Facts About Vancouver
- 30 Fun, Weird & Interesting Facts About Victoria
- 38 Fun and Interesting Facts About Calgary
- 26 Fun, Weird and Interesting Facts About Halifax, Nova Scotia
- 50 Fun, Weird and Interesting Facts About Toronto
- 28 Fun, Weird and Interesting Facts About Yellowknife, NWT
- 35 Fun, Weird and Interesting Facts About Ottawa
- 34 Interesting and Fun Facts About Quebec City
- 28 Fun, Weird and Interesting Facts About Winnipeg
- 25 Fun, Weird and Interesting Facts About Saskatoon
- Interesting Facts About Alberta, Canada
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