Facts About Prince Edward

Although more than 2,000 square miles (5,200 square kilometers) in area, the province of Prince Edward Island occupies only a tiny portion of the world's second largest country. In area and population it is the smallest of Canada's ten provinces. Despite the absence of big cities, the largely agricultural crescent island is the most densely populated province in the nation because, unlike the other provinces, it contains no vast areas of undeveloped land.

Deep bays and their estuaries almost divide the island, leaving only a narrow isthmus between them that is less than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) wide at some points. Bedeque Bay and Malpeque Bay, at the west end, and Hillsborough Bay and the rivers entering it, at the east end, divide the island into three sections. The rivers are short, and the tide reaches their headwaters. There is virtually no inland fresh water.

Broad beaches backed by low dunes rim the north shore, which faces the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Chains of sandbars, especially at the west end, separate the quiet bays from the outer gulf. Along the south shore there are low, crumbling cliffs of red sandstone, which face Northumberland Strait.

The climate is cool and damp, being tempered by the surrounding waters. The average annual precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year. Snows are heavy, and the frost-free growing season is short, averaging only 150 days.

Population (2001). 135,294--rank, 10th province. Urban, 36.3%; rural, 63.7%. Persons per square mile, 59.4 (per square kilometer, 22.9)--rank, 1st province.

LARGEST CITIES (1991 census)
Charlottetown (15,396). Provincial capital; excellent harbor; commercial center; fishing, potato growing, dairying, meatpacking; Government House, home of lieutenant-governor; Province House; Confederation Center of the Arts; St. Peter's Anglican Cathedral; University of Prince Edward Island.
Summerside (7,474). On Bedeque Bay; Canadian Armed Forces air base nearby; oysters; lobster packing; sport fishing; farm center and agricultural products processing; woodworking.
Sherwood (6,006). Located north of Charlottetown.
St. Eleanors (3,514). North of Summerside; named for housekeeper of British officer in Prince Edward Island Militia; historic courthouse site; Canadian Armed Forces air base.
Parkdale (2,198). Village located on northeastern side of Charlottetown; Exhibition Grounds.

Extent. Area, 2,185 square miles (5,659 square kilometers) (10th province in size). Greatest length (east to west), about 120 miles (193 kilometers); greatest width (north to south), 34 miles (55 kilometers).
Elevation. Highest, central Queens County, 465 feet (142 meters); lowest, sea level; average, 150 feet (46 meters).
Temperature. Extremes--lowest, -35o F (-37o C), Kilmahumaig, Jan. 26, 1884; highest, 98o F (37o C), Charlottetown, Aug. 19, 1935.
Averages at Charlottetown-January, 20.5 F (-6.4 C); July, 66.8 F (19.3 C); annual, 43.1 F (6.2 C).
Precipitation. Average annual total--at Charlottetown, 32.5 inches (826 millimeters).
Land Use. Agricultural, 50%; forest, 50%.