Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada in both area and population[1]. Despite this it has the highest population density of any of the provinces. PEI as it is commonly known is located in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence on the east coast of Canada. It is connected by the 12.9 km Confederation Bridge to New Brunswick and there is a ferry service in the most of the year to Nova Scotia.
Government
PEI has a 27-member legislative assembly. Currently the Conservatives hold 24 seats and the Liberals hold 4. The Green party and the NDP also run candidates in provincial elections. Pat Binns is currently the premier of the island and has been since 1996[2]. The Island has 4 federal ridings all of which are held by Liberals.
History
In 1534 Jacques Cartier was the first white man to discover Prince Edward's. He claimed the island for France, and it later became named as Isle St. Jean. In 1720 the French started to colonize the island, establishing several settlements. In 1745 troops from Britain and New England captured the island from the French, destroying at least two towns. The British returned Isle St. Jean to French rule in 1748 in return for an Indian city. The island changed rule for the third time when in 1758 the British recaptured it, deporting almost 5000 of the French and Acadian settlers to the Eastern US. Only about 300 managed to avoid deportation. In 1762, the French and British signed a treaty ceding all French lands in North America to the British, and the island was grouped with Nova Scotia for administrative purposes. In 1769, after lobbying by the landowners, the Island was given its own Governorship and administration. [3][4]
Tourism
PEI is a popular tourist destination, renowned for its red sand beaches and as the setting for the Anne of Green Gables children's stories.