Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is the smallest but most thickly populated
province of Cananda. It's people usually call their province "The
Island" or simply P.E.I. The people live in small scattered
communities. but the average number of people to the square mile
or kilometre is greater than any other province. Charlottetown is
the capitol city of P.E.I..
P.E.I is the only Canadian province that is entirely
separated from the North Americian mainland. The island lies in
the gulf of St.Lawrence which is a rich fishing area off the
Atlantic coast of Canada. Lobster is the most valuable catch of
the island's fishing industry.
The chief sources of employment and income for the people of
the island are the service industries. Agriculture is the second
most important source of income. The greatest natural resource
of the island is the fertile soil , the farms cover a greater
percentage of the land than in any other province.
Each year the province exports millions of bags of potatoes
which is the main crop, other important farm products include,
beef cattle, hay, hogs, milk, barley and other grains, and
vegetables.
The island lacks valuable minerals and cheap sources of
power. In addition, transportation to and from the mainland is
very expensive, therefore manufacturing on P.E.I. has developed
slowly. Manufacturing is now the third most important economic
activity.
THE PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND FLAG
The provincial flag, adopted in 1964, bears an adaption of the
coat of arms. ON the coat of arms, adopted in 1905, the british
lion symbolizes the province's ties with Great Britain. Three
small oak trees represent the three countries of P.E.I. The large
oak tree stands for Canada and Great Britain.
IMPORTANT DATES
P.E.I entered the dominion on july 1st 1873 and was the 7th
province to join the dominion.
-1534, Jaques Cartier, a french explorer landed on P.E.I
-1603, Samuel de Champlain claimed the island for france and
named it St.Jean.
-1720, France established colonies near present day Charlottetown
and Georgetown.
-1763, France gave the island to Great Britain in the treaty of
Paris after the French and Indian war.
-1799, The colony was renamed P.E.I
-1864, The first confederation conference was held in
charlottetown to discuss a federal union.
-1873, Prince Edward Island became the seventh province on July
1st.
-1969, P.E.I. began an economic development program.
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