I have been to Prince Edward Island (PEI) four times – once as a kid, twice with my kids and a few years ago on a trip to cycle the length of the island with my husband. PEI never disappoints, especially in summer with all the great beaches.

Here is another in my ongoing facts series – 30 fun and interesting facts about Prince Edward Island.

Boardwalk in the Greenwich section of Prince Edward Island National Park

• Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island. In 2011 it had a population of 34,562.
• Charlottetown is considered to be the Birthplace Of Confederation. This year, the city is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference – an event that paved the way to Confederation and the founding of Canada in 1867.
• The Mi’kmaqs were the first people to live on Prince Edward Island. They called the island Epekwik – meaning Resting On The Waves.
• The island was named Prince Edward in 1799 in honour of Queen Victoria’s father – Edward, Duke of Kent.
• Charlottetown takes its name from Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.
• The population of PEI is approximately 141,000. About 46% of the population lives in a city or town; the rest of the population lives in a rural setting.
• There are four Members of Parliament from Prince Edward Island out of a total of 305 seats. There is also a 27 seat Legislative Assembly in PEI. The premier of PEI is Robert Ghiz, a Liberal.
• Prince Edward Island is 220 kilometers long by six to sixty-four kilometers wide. There is no place on the island that is more than 16 kilometers from the sea.
• The 273 kilometer Confederation Trail – is open to walkers, cyclists, runners and wheelchairs in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter. It takes you from one tip of the island to the other on old railway beds.