Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Canada Places

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province and island in the Gulf of St.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province, located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is known for its red-sand beaches, agriculture, and ties to *Anne of Green Gables* and Confederation history.

What it is

Prince Edward Island is the only Canadian province made up entirely of islands. It is one of the Maritime provinces, separated from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by the Northumberland Strait. Its capital and largest city is Charlottetown.

Key details

With a land area of 5,686.03 km² and a population of 154,331 (2021), it is Canada’s least populous province. The economy relies on agriculture (especially potatoes), fishing, and tourism. The island is connected to New Brunswick by the Confederation Bridge.

Why it matters

Prince Edward Island played a key role in Canadian Confederation, hosting the Charlottetown Conference in 1864. It joined Canada in 1873. Culturally, it is globally associated with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s *Anne of Green Gables*, which draws visitors to its rural landscapes.

In short

  • Smallest Canadian province by land area and population.
  • Capital and largest city is Charlottetown.
  • Famous for potato farming, red-sand beaches, and *Anne of Green Gables*.
  • Connected to New Brunswick by the Confederation Bridge.
Canadian angle

Prince Edward Island is one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces and the smallest Canadian province, making it significant in Canadian geography, history, and Confederation heritage.

Quick questions

Where is Prince Edward Island?
Prince Edward Island is in eastern Canada, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
What is Prince Edward Island known for?
It is known for agriculture, especially potatoes, as well as fishing, tourism, red-sand beaches, and its links to *Anne of Green Gables* and Confederation history.
What is the capital of Prince Edward Island?
The capital of Prince Edward Island is Charlottetown, which is also its largest city.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Edward_Island
    Supports: Location, area, capital, population, provincial status, Confederation Bridge, and general province facts.
  2. Government of Prince Edward Island — https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/where-is-prince-edward-island
    Supports: Location off the east coast of Canada, Maritime/Atlantic context, province size description, and Confederation Bridge.
  3. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Prince-Edward-Island
    Supports: Area, population, capital, eastern Canada location, history, Confederation Conference, and economic characteristics.
  4. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Prince-Edward-Island
    Supports: Province identity, population, and general factual overview.