Prince Edward Island is without question a Great Place to Live. There are many other Great Places to live around the world, but PEI’s advantage is that it is not only
a beautiful place, but is also still a very safe location with affordable housing.

Geography

Prince Edward Island (PEI), one of Canada's four Atlantic Provinces, is the smallest of the ten provinces in both size and population. The island is crescent shaped, measures 139 miles (224 kilometers) from tip to tip, is 4 to 40 miles (6 to 64 kilometers) wide. Its total area is 2,185 square miles (5,660 square kilometers). It is situated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and is separated from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick by the Northumberland Strait.

The province has numerous lakes and rivers, most of which are quite small, and is known for its red soil, sand dunes and 500 miles (800 kilometers) of beaches. The highest point is 499 feet (152 meters) above sea level at Springton, Queen's County.

Climate

The climate is generally temperate, with chilly winters and mild summers. The most precipitation occurs between November and January. Average temperatures for Charlottetown are 19°F (-7°C) in January and 64°F (18°C) in July.

Vegetation

The temperate maritime climate is hospitable for a wide variety of native and imported European plants. Many species of clams, snails, and seaweeds are found along the coast, as well as seals, seagulls, and various migratory bird species.

Ancestry

Approximately 68 percent of the population is of British ancestry (English, Scottish, and Welsh), and about 21.3 percent is of French descent. In 2001, 2,360 people had Aboriginal ancestry.

Economy

Most of PEI's industrial activity involves the processing of agricultural and fisheries products. In recent years, technology-intensive industry has become more important, especially in the medical, electronics, and agricultural fields. Specialized manufacturing industries have been established in the province producing goods such as diagnostic medical kits, optical frames, and steel and aluminum cookware. PEI also has a growing number of firms in the aerospace, video game, life sciences and ICT industries. In 2008, the value of manufactured shipments was C$1.37 billion.