Prince Edward Island

Introduction & Quick Facts
Land
- Relief and soils
- Climate and plant and animal life
People
- Population
- Settlement patterns
- Demographic trends
Economy
- Agriculture and fishing
- Resources and power
- Manufacturing
- Services, labour, taxation
- Transportation and telecommunications
Government and society
- Constitutional framework
- Health, welfare, and education
Cultural life
- The arts
- Cultural institutions
- Sports and recreation
- Media and publishing
History

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images

Political map of Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada, showing major cities, towns, and communities, as well as political subdivision boundaries. Surrounding waters including the Gulf of St. Lawrence are labeled, and a small locator map in the corner highlights the island's position within Canada.

Map of Prince Edward Island showing its physical features, including bays, inlets, points, and rivers, as well as surrounding bodies of water such as the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait. Major locations like Cavendish Inlet, Malpeque Bay, Hillsborough Bay, and East Point are labeled. An inset locator map in the top right shows the island's position within eastern Canada.

A dirt road runs through green fields and patches of forest in a rural Prince Edward Island landscape in Canada, with trees and farmland stretching to the horizon.

St. Mary's Catholic Church, Prince Edward Island

At a Glance

Colorful houses and boat sheds line the shore of French River in Queens County, Prince Edward Island, with boats docked at the waterfront and green fields in the background.

Prince Edward Island summary

Quizzes

Islands and Archipelagos

Related Questions

How did British occupation affect French settlers on Prince Edward Island in 1758?
How did absentee landlords create problems for Prince Edward Island settlers?
How did the Canadian federal government help Prince Edward Island after Confederation?
How did the Land Purchase Act of 1875 change land ownership on Prince Edward Island?
How did the Mi’kmaq use Prince Edward Island before European colonization?
How do Prince Edward Island schools encourage bilingualism?
How do forests help reduce wind erosion on Prince Edward Island?
How does the Confederation Bridge connect Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick?
How does tourism contribute to Prince Edward Island’s economy?
How is Irish moss used as a commercial resource on Prince Edward Island?
How long is Prince Edward Island from North Cape to East Point?
How many counties does Prince Edward Island have?
How many members serve in Prince Edward Island’s Legislative Assembly?
How was the University of Prince Edward Island created in 1969?
What coastal landscapes can visitors find in Prince Edward Island National Park?
What happened at the Charlottetown Conference of 1864?
What types of performances and facilities are found at the Confederation Centre of the Arts?
When did Prince Edward Island become separate from Nova Scotia?
When did Samuel de Champlain claim Prince Edward Island for France?
When was Port la Joie established on the site near present-day Charlottetown?
Where are major wind-power facilities located on Prince Edward Island?
Where did many Acadian families settle on Prince Edward Island?
Where is Prince Edward Island located in relation to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick?
Which Canadian cities have daily flights from Charlottetown?
Which European explorer is credited with discovering Prince Edward Island in 1534?
Which Lucy Maud Montgomery novel inspired Anne of Green Gables—The Musical?
Which Prince Edward Island communities have Mi’kmaq reserves?
Which bird species has habitat on Rustico Island in Prince Edward Island National Park?
Which body of water separates Prince Edward Island from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick?
Which cities have experienced the most population growth on Prince Edward Island?
Which city is the capital of Prince Edward Island?
Which counties make up Prince Edward Island?
Which county is the least populated area of Prince Edward Island?
Which crop has traditionally been Prince Edward Island’s main agricultural product?
Which language is spoken by most people on Prince Edward Island?
Which nontimber forest products are collected on Prince Edward Island?
Which products began to be trucked across the Confederation Bridge after it opened?
Which religious denomination has the most members on Prince Edward Island?
Which seafood catch is most important to Prince Edward Island fishers?
Which species are raised by aquaculture businesses on Prince Edward Island?
Which treaty formally transferred Prince Edward Island to Great Britain in 1763?
Who became Prince Edward Island’s first premier after it joined Canada?
Who owns most of the forested land on Prince Edward Island?
Why did Dutch farming families move to Prince Edward Island after 1945?
Why did Prince Edward Island join the Canadian Confederation in 1873?
Why does Prince Edward Island retain a largely rural character?
Why has Prince Edward Island depended heavily on imported energy sources?
Why is Prince Edward Island called the Garden of the Gulf?
Why is Prince Edward Island sometimes called Spud Island?
Why is the Confederation Bridge notable among bridges in the world?
What led to the War of 1812?
How did the War of 1812 end?
Did the War of 1812 have popular support?
What role did Native Americans play in the War of 1812?
What were the War of 1812’s lasting effects?
What is Alberta?
Where is Alberta located?
Why is Alberta holding an independence referendum?
How did Alberta become a province?
How do oil and gas affect Alberta’s economy?

Geography & Travel Physical Geography of Land Islands & Archipelagos

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External Websites

The Canadian Encyclopedia - Prince Edward Island, Canada
Official Tourism Site of Prince Edward Island, Canada
Official Site of the Government of Prince Edward Island, Canada
Government of Canada - Prince Edward Island

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Prince Edward Island - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
Prince Edward Island - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Prince Edward Island

province, Canada

Also known as: P.E.I., the Island

Written by

Brendan Anthony O'Grady

Professor of English, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown.

Brendan Anthony O'GradyAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 13, 2026 •History

Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), one of the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Curving from North Cape to East Point, “the Island,” as Prince Edward Islanders refer to the province, is about 140 miles (225 km) long, ranging from 2 to 40 miles (3 to 65 km) in width. It lies between 46° and 47° N latitude and 62° and 64° W longitude. To the south and west, the Northumberland Strait separates the island from the mainland...

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