CANADA

CANADA.

Bicentennial of the founding of Charlottetown, capital of Prince Edward Island, 1769-1979.
Map of Prince Edward Island.
Stamp issued on 15.08.1969.
Face value: 6 cents of Canadian dollar.
Design: Lloyd Fitzgerald.
Printed by British American Bank Note Company.
Printing: 16,400,000 copies.

Catalogues
- Scott No. 499.
- Stampworld No. 441.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 642.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 419.

The first European settlers of Charlottetown were French, who in 1720 founded the settlement of Port La Joye, in part southwest of the port in front of the present city. During the King George's War (1744–1748) a British fleet took control of the settlement and the rest of the island and deported the French settlers. The British built Fort Amherst near the site of the abandoned French settlement to protect the entrance to the harbor. In 1765 the place was chosen as the colonial capital of St. John's Island, and between 1768 and 1771 the new city was developed, named Charlottetown in honor of Charlotte of Macklenburg-Strelitz, queen consort, wife of George III of Great Britain. 1769 is officially considered the year of founding, coinciding with the separation of the island from Nova Scotia. It is estimated that in 1770 the population of the city was about 150 families.

The 5,660 km² (2,184 sq mi) island was initially named Abegwelt, and later became St. John's Island. Finally, in 1798, he adopted the name Prince Edward in honor of Edward, Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria. It became part of the Canadian Confederation on July 1, 1873.