Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, as seen from Fort Edward
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charlottetown_skyline.jpg
Author: Charles Hoffman


Charlottetown is the largest city ande provincial capital of Prince Edward Island. It covers 44.33 sq km (17.1 sq mi) and has a population of 35,000 people (2012 estimate). The city is best remembered in Canada as the venue for the Charlottetown Conference in 1864, which paved the way for the creation of modern Canada.

European presence in the Charlottetown area goes back to 1720, when the French founded the settlement of Port La Joye here. It was populated by Acadian settlers who were ousted by the British in the Conquest of Acadia. Their hope for peace was shortlived, for in King George's War (1744-48), the British took over the island. Although the French managed to fight back for a while, the British recaptured the town in 1758, during the French and Indian War, and deported the French settlers.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charlottetown_PEI_05.jpg
Author: Aconcagua


The present city of Charlottetown was founded in 1764. It was named after Queen Charlotte, the consort of King George III. The following year it was made the colonial capital of St John's Island. St John's Island was renamed Prince Edward Island in 1798.

In 1864 the Charlottetown Conference was held at Province House. This led to the formation of the Canadian Confederation, even though Prince Edward Island itself did not join until later. Today the economy of Charlottetown is dominated by the public sector, with a significant proportion of the people here employed in the healthcare and services sector as well.

Province House, Charlottetown
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:282_-_Birthplace_of_Canada_Charlottetown_PEI.JPG
Author: Share Bear

Visiting Charlottetown

You can fly direct to Charlottetown from Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto as well as New York City.

Places of Interest in Charlottetown

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