Prince Edward Island Travel Guide

Prince Edward Island Travel: General Information

Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province, amazes with its every prospect – be it the coastline defined by red-white sandy beaches and sandstone cliffs punctuated by the frequent bays or the bucolic vista of the interior. Certain areas of the island are famous for their dune fields; Greenwich, for instance, is popular for its shifting parabolic dunes. There is no denying that nature has been truly bountiful in Prince Edward Island; however, a look at the agricultural lands, fishing villages or for that matter at the Confederation Bridge that joins PEI with the mainland Canada will tell you that every aspect has only enhanced the natural beauty of the island.

Expecting more from nature! There are the island’s protected parklands like the Edward Island National Park, the Bufflaoland Provincial Park or the Harvey Moore Migratory Bird Sanctuary, where you get to see a wide variety of flora and fauna. And then, there are PEI’s leisure activities like biking, fishing, golfing, etc. for you. History-buffs can get acquainted with the island’s past.

No matter what your likes or dislikes are, PEI seems to have something really special in store for you; but then, you must make sure that you visit PEI between June and September, and do not forget to sample PEI’s lobster menus on offer.

Prince Edward Island Travel: Key Facts

Capital City: Charlottetown

Area: 5,683 sq km

Population: 140, 402

Monetary Unit: CAD

Official Language: English

International Dialing Code: 001

Prince Edward Island Travel: Popular Tourist Destinations

Charlottetown: Charlottetown, the capital of the province, is a tourism destination in its own right. The city has many Victorian-era buildings and private houses like the Government House, Province House and the Beaconsfield House. Other points of interest in the city are structures like the modern Confederation Center, which houses the city’s theater-complex, art-galleries and even a museum. The city has its share of greenery in the form of walking trails and park-lands; then, there are the city’s hip bars, clubs, restaurants, which together with the Charlottetown Festival, art and cultural scenario promise you much more than just regular urban pleasures.

Summerside: Summerside truly embodies the word ‘beauty’ in its neatly done waterfront walk-ways and parks (which have mostly come up on abandoned industrial sites). There is much for sports lovers – an indoor hockey arena, a golf club, a racing track and a yachting club.

Cavendish: The Green Gable farmhouse – the setting for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel Anne of Green Gables – continues to lure tourists to Cavendish; however, the coastal town has more to interest you – with an amusement park, fairy-castles and a planetarium, Cavendish is a children’s wonderland. The totem poles and golf courses will attract the adults.

Prince Edward Island Travel: Economy and Infrastructure

PEI’s economy has been dominated by agriculture since the colonial days and continues to be so even today. In fact, PEI is one of the largest producers of potato in Canada in addition to other agricultural produces like other vegetables, fruits and livestock. Fishery is the second important industry; apart from lobster fishing, these days oyster and mussel farming and shell-fish harvesting are also done on large-scale. The tourism also brings a significant contribution to the province’s economy.

The inauguration of the Confederation Bridge has been one solid step towards improving PEI’s transportation infrastructure and today the island enjoys excellent transportation links. The province is also progressing in the field of energy production.

Prince Edward Island Travel: Culture

Prince Edward Island has been home to people of varied ancestry, mostly Europeans, apart from the indigenous Mi’kmaq people. Now, PEI also has a small population of people of Asian lineage. English, spoken by the majority, is the unofficial language of the province and Christianity, the chief religion.

Music is the chief cultural manifestation of the Prince Edward Island and it is largely identified as Celtic Music. Fine art is the other expression of PEI’s culture and the Charlottetown Festival is a celebration of PEI’s culture, chiefly art. PEI has produced some literary talents. The islanders are also famous for their culinary skills.