PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND - Fast Facts

Interesting Facts About Prince Edward Island

• Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada as well as the most densely populated province (24 people per square kilometer).  It joined the Confederation in 1873.
• The island was discovered by Jacques Cartier in 1534.
• The original residents of the island were Mi'kmaq.
• Originally known as St. John's Island, it was renamed Prince Edward Island in 1799.
• Approximately 15% of electricity used on PEI is generated from renewable resources, predominately wind. 
• Beer and soda (or pop) was not sold in cans on PEI until May 2008. 
• Prince Edward Island gets its name from Prince Edward Augustus, the Duke of Kent.  He was the father of Queen Victoria.
• The highest point in PEI is in Springton at 152 metres above sea level. 
• The provincial flower is the Lady's Slipper.
• The provincial bird is the Blue Jay.
• The provincial tree is the Red Oak.
• PEI's famous red soil gets its color from the high iron content which oxidizes when exposed to the air. 
• Potatoes represent over 1/3 of farm revenue for the province and PEI represents nearly 1/3 of Canadian potato production. 
• PEI is the setting of Lucy Maud Montgomery's book, Anne of Green Gables.  She also wrote the Island Hymn.
• PEI's motto is "The small under the protection of the great".
• The principal industries of the province are agriculture, tourism and fishing.

Source: http://www.getpei.com/Interesting_Facts.html