Overview Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
Prince Edward Island is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, off the Atlantic Coast of the Canadian mainland. Prince Edward Island or PEI is one of the four Atlantic Provinces.
The Micmac made PEI their home and called this beautiful Island Epekwitk, meaning resting on the waves. The Mi'kmaq of the Atlantic Region which included the Gaspe Peninsula and parts of Maine were organized into seven political districts. Prince Edward Island was one of these districts. These districts made up the Mi'kmaq Nation under the leadership of the Mi'kmaq Grand Council.
The first permanent French settlement began at Port La Joie in 1720 with further settlement at the fishing port of St. Peters. During 1740's and 1750's, the population along the north shore between Savage Harbour and Malpeque was very small. Settlement consisted of one farm deep along the shoreline.
The 1750's and 60's brought much turmoil to the PEI population as Bay of Fundy Acadians sought refuge were expelled and then Louisberg fell to the British in 1758 and PEI became British. The British surveyed the Island, divided the land into 67 townships, distributed them to influential petitioners and allowed local administration in 1769.
During the first half of the 19th century, many Islanders managed to acquire title to their lands. At Confederation about 50 percent of the lots in PEI were in freehold tenure. The 1875 Act gave the Island government the power to force landlords to sell their holdings. Land ownership was made possible for the former tenants by lease purchase agreements.
The first organized British census was taken in 1798 and the total population of PEI 4,372. Steady net immigration continued for almost 100 years and in 1891 the population reached a high of 109,000 however it declined in the 1930's to a low of 40,000. According to Statistics Canada, the population of PEI in 1999 was 138,000.
Today PEI has two cities, Charlottetown (capital city) located in Queens County and Summerside located in Prince County. There are 7 towns: Alberton, Cornwall, Georgetown, Kensington, Montague, Souris and Stratford.
The Confederation Bridge between PEI and New Brunswick opened in 1997 and provides direct land access between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
The major PEI industries are: agriculture, tourism, fishing and manufacturing. The first lobster season runs from May 1st to the end of June on the north side of PEI and the second season runs from mid-August to mid-October on the south side of PEI. Green Gables House is one of PEI's most popular attractions.
L.M. MONTGOMERY is the author of Anne of Green Gables. Montgomery was born on the north shore of Prince Edward Island and raised in Cavendish. Anne of Green Gables has been translated into 15 different languages and put on film. The story created an image of the Island that draws 350,000 visitors annually from around the world to Green Gables House.
Prince Edward Island Education Listings
Prince Edward Island Department of Education
P.O. Box 2000, Charlottetown, P.E.I. C1A 7N8
Tel: 902-368-6286, Fax: 902-368-6144
Universities
University of Prince Edward Island Program Listings
The University of Prince Edward Island consists of seven major Faculties for undergraduate and graduate students: Faculty of Arts,
School of Business, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine.
The English Language Centre works with students looking to meet English language requirements of UPEI programs, and can create customized English programs for groups of students.
English Academic Preparation (EAP) is an intensive language program for students who do not meet the UPEI language requirements but have conditional admission to a degree program.
UPEI offers customized English-language programs for groups to meet diverse language-learning requirements such as: summer language camps for students, programs for teachers of
English as a foreign language desiring advanced specialization, students preparing for a 2+2 program, English majors requiring an immersion experience, and students taking a gap year to improve English skills.
Online Education Services Apps Teaching Lessons Resources
English Language Grammar Lessons
How to Write & Writing Exercises
Community Educational Organizations
Adult/Continuing Education
P.E.I. Literacy Alliance,
P.O. Box 400, Charlottetown, P.E.I. C1A
7K7
tel: 902 368-3620, fax: 902-368-3620
Immigration Settlement LINC Services
PEI English LINC Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada,
P.O. Box 2846, 179 Queen Street, Charlottetown, PEI C1A 8C4
(902) 628-6009
