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Prince Edward Island is located in eastern North America, and
is situated north of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Famous for its
red soils and potatoes, Prince Edward Island is the smallest Province
in Canada. First discovered by the French, no attempts to settle
the island were made until the 18th century. Like other areas in
the region the island was passed from French to British rule a number
of times. By 1763 the land became part of the British Empire and
Saint John's island (now PEI) was divided up into lots and given
to British nobles. Today, the islands economy is increasingly dependent
on tourism, which has increased since the completion of the 8-mile
Confederation bridge completed in 1997.
Population & Geography
Total
Area: 5,660 sq km / 2,180 sq mi1
Population:
138,600 (2007)1
Capital
City: Charlottetown
Largest
Metro Areas: N/A1
Economy
GDP:
$3.795 billion USD (2006)1
GDP
per capita: $27,382
USD (2006)1
Unemployment
Rate: 10.3% (2007)1
Government
Premier:
Robert Ghiz (Lib) (2007)2
Legislative
Assembly: 24 Liberals (including Premier),
3 Progressive Conservatives (2007)2
Other Information
Federal Representation:
4 Liberals (2007)3
Origin
of Name: Named after Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of
Kent and Strathern, the father of Queen Victoria.4
If Prince Edward Island were admitted into the Union today..
Area
Rank: 50th
biggest State (bigger than Rhode Island, smaller than Delaware).5
Population
Rank: 51st
most populous State (smaller than Wyoming, smallest in the Union).5
GDP
Rank: 53rd biggest economy in US (bigger than Guam, smaller than Vermont).6
Congressmen:
1 House Representative and 2 Senators.
Electoral
Votes:
3
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