Prince Edward Island

(PEI, Île-du-Prince-Édouard)

General Information:

Location: Eastern Canada
Capital: Charlottetown
Language(s): English
Population: 158,717
Total Area: 5,634 sq km
Curious Alcohol Fact: Alcohol sale is controlled and you may have to provide an identity card issued by the government.
Most Popular Drink(s): Beers, wines, maple syrup
Nickname(s): PEI, Garden of the Gulf
What You Must Do in Prince Edward Island: Visit as many islands as possible.

Prince Edward Island Video

Video Courtesy: govpeca

The Province

In many respects, Prince Edward Island is a special province. Alongside New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, it is one of the three Maritime Provinces of Canada. With a land area of just over 5,600 sq km, PEI as it is fondly called is the smallest of all the provinces in the country. However, it is one of the most enchanting in the country and is the most densely populated. There are three counties in the province and their names reflect the royal heritage of the PEI: Prince, Kings and Queens. Prince Edward Island is linked to the neighboring New Brunswick by the Confederation Bridge. Although it is called an island, the province is best described as an archipelago. There is a large island, which bears the same name with the province, and others are Murray Islands, Malpeque Bay Islands, Glenfinnan Island, Panmure Island, Oultons Island and many others. PEI became a province in 1873 and the capital city is Charlottetown.

The People

Like in Nova Scotia, residents with Scottish ancestry form the largest ethnic group in Prince Edward Island. Apart from the Scots, we have the English, French, Irish, Germans, Dutch, Hungarians and Polish. There are also descendants of migrants from Asian nations like China, Japan and Korea. The official language in the province is English and is widely spoken throughout the province. Other languages are French, German, Dutch and Spanish. The religious pattern is very similar to what I observed while touring other Canadian provinces. Most of the Islanders are Christians and the most important churches are the Roman Catholic Church, United Church of Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada. As expected, many of the residents are into agriculture and fishing. Tourism is also a very important aspect of the local economy.

Eating

Even though Prince Edward Island is the smallest in the country, you will be dazzled with the astonishing variety of meals on the islands. Help yourself with a bowl of lobster soup or a plate of deep-fried oysters. As for me, a bowl of spiced scallops was never far off. Mashed potatoes are also widely consumed in the province and after just a single bite, you will be addicted. Eating out is one of the most interesting activities in the province and there are numerous eateries and restaurants eager to take your order. If you are into Oriental dishes, there are eateries specializing in Chinese and Thai foods and that means you will never miss your noodles or in my case, a bowl of tom yam!

Drinking

Before you can buy alcohol in the province, you must be at least 19 years old. Once you are able to fulfill this obligation, you can enjoy an array of drinks –alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Canadian wines are particularly popular in the province.

Interesting Facts

The counties are named Kings, Queens and Prince.
Billboards are strictly prohibited in Prince Edward Island.
There is a single university on the island.
PEI is the smallest of all the provinces in Canada and is one of the three Maritime Provinces.
It was not until 1873 that PEI joined the Confederation as a province.
Other names of Prince Edward Island include the Garden of the Gulf and the Birthplace of the Confederation.
PEI joined the nation as its 7th province.
Apart from the main island, the PEI, there are over 230 other islands that make up the province.
In Scottish Gaelic, the name of the island is translated to mean ‘the Island of the Prince.’
The first European to set his eyes on the island was Jacques Cartier.
Although it is now very serene and peaceful, Prince Edward Island was a site of many wars and battles.
PEI is the most Scottish of all the Canadian provinces and not Nova Scotia as many believe.

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Adebayo Ahmed Adebola (Ilorin, Nigeria).