Named for Queen Charlotte, King George III's wife, Charlottetown was chosen in 1765 as the capital of colonial St. John's Island, as it was then known. The name was changed to Prince Edward Island in 1799. The first settlement in the area was at Port la Joye across the harbor and was ruled by the French until being ceded to Great Britain after the fall of Louisbourg. Known as the birthplace of Canada because the conference that led to confederation was held here in 1864, the city has many convention facilities, cultural and educational institutions, and attractions located within easy reach. Encircled by a scenic natural harbour, boating, yachting, swimming, golf, other sports, and a variety of seafood are all popular and readily available. Charlottetown is a main feature of the Charlotte's Shore day-tour region; a visitor information center is located here.

Prince Edward Island can be reached from the mainland at Caribou, Nova Scotia, by car ferry to Wood Islands, 38 miles (61 kilometers) southeast of Charlottetown. For information, contact Northumberland Ferries, PO Box 634, Charlottetown C1A 7L3; phone 902/566-3838 or toll-free 888/249-7245. (May-mid-Dec, daily; 1 1/4-hour crossing; fee) The island can also be reached from Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick, via the Confederation Bridge, an 8-mile (13 kilometers) bridge that leads to Borden-Carleton, PEI (toll).