Prince Edward Island (French: Île-du-Prince-Édouard; Scottish Gaelic: Eilean a’ Phrionns or Eilean Eòin; Míkmaq: Apekweit or Epikwetk) is one of the ten provinces of Canada, the smallest of the Maritime Provinces (which include New Brunswick and Nova Scotia).

The province, consisting of one island of the same name, is the smallest and most densely populated province in the nation.

Prince Edward Island lies in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and has a crescent shape. It is separated from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by the shallow Northumberland Strait.

The provincial capital and largest city is Charlottetown.

Many of the islanders farm the fertile red soils that cover much of the land. Residents raise livestock and grow a variety of crops, especially potatoes — the traditional primary crop.

Because of its rich agricultural resources, Prince Edward Island has been nicknamed the Million-Acre Farm, the Garden of the Gulf, and Spud Island. The Mi’kmaq, the island’s original inhabitants, called it Abegweit, meaning "Cradled on the Waves". It was originally called Île Saint Jean by the French.

In 1799, its name was changed to Prince Edward Island, in honor of Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent (1767-1820), the father of Queen Victoria.

Following are Prince Edward Island’s principal urban areas, in order of population (Statistics Canada, 2006 estimates).

• Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island. It is the island’s chief market and administrative and financial center.
• Summerside is the only other city.