Prince
Edward IslandBy: Michael Jordan
Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest and least populated province, lies in the gulf of St. Lawrence on the east coast of Canada . It is separated from New Brunswick to the west and Nova Scotia to the south by the northumberland Strait.
Prince Edward Island has played an important role in Canadian history. In September 1864 the '' founding fathers'' met at Charlottetown to lay the foundation for the Confederation of Canada. Although the island initial refused to join political union .
Prince Edward Island is a part of a plain that stretches into eastern New Brunswick and northern Nova Scotia. Most of the landscape is gently rowing with some flat lowlands. Iron compounds in glacial deposits have given rise to a striking feature of the island, it`s red soil, which is generally fertile and productive. Rivers are short, mostly tidal, and have large estuaries. The most important river is the Hillsborough; CHARLOTTETOWN, the capital, is on it`s branching estuary.
During the long , cold winter, Arctic air covers the island, and the coasts are icebound from January to April. Spring arrives late. In the summer, waters surrounding the island are much warmer, as are the prevailing southern winds. Yearly temperatures average -7 dig C (20 dig F) in January and 18 dig C (65 dig F) in July. Mean annual precipitation is about 1,060 mm (42 in ), of which more than one - third falls as snow.
Most of the island`s original forests were removed by fire and ax, and today the most wooded areas are in the western.
Prince Edward's Island has a population of about 137,244 (1997 est.). The population is small compared to other Canadian Provinces; however, it is the most densely population live in urban areas, mostly in Charlottetown, the provincial capital, which houses about one -quarter of the islands population.
Most inhabitants of P.E.I were born in Canada. About 80 % of the people are of English,Irish, or Scottish ancestry; about 15% are of French origin. P.E.I. is also home to a few hundred Mi'Kmag`s, who make about 4% of the population.
GALLERY
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Tap water is safe for drinking. Lake or River water should be boiled to be safe.
The Province's spectacular scenery, sandy beaches and gently rolling hills have contributed a lot to tourism. This industry is the second largest and fastest growing industry in P.E.I. 1,200,000 tourists in May to October.
The flower of P.E.I. is the lady slipper.