It was almost 200 years before the first Acadian and French settlers colonized the Island, only to have the British claim the Island in 1758 and change its name to St. John's Island . In 1799, Britain renamed this small colony, Prince Edward Island . Soon, Scottish, Irish, English and Loyalist settlers began colonization, bringing with them their skills of shipbuilding, fishing, agriculture and the lumber trade. In 1864, Prince Edward Island hosted the first of three conferences that led to the creation of an independant Canada, thus, adding to our list of names, The Cradle of Confederation and The Birthplace of Canada. In 1873, Prince Edward Island accepted the terms of the new federation and become a Canadian Province.
Tourism now plays a large roll in our Island's economy.
Our breath-taking landscapes, rich soil and bountiful waters still support a thriving economy, based on the traditions of agriculture, tourism and fishing.