Pelee, Ontario
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Pelee Island, Ontario, is an island in the western half of Lake Erie. Pelee Island is connected to the Canadian and United States mainland by ferry service. At 42 km², Pelee Island is the largest island in Lake Erie and the southernmost populated point in Canada. Nearby Middle Island is the southernmost point of land in Canada.
Pelee Island is part of the Township of Pelee in Essex County, and has its own mayor, deputy mayor, and three Councillors. It is what is called a separated township. The township comprises 9 islands, the largest being Pelee Island, and including Middle Island, Middle Sister Island, Hen Island, Big Chicken Island, Little Chick Island, Chick Island, East Sister Island, and North Harbour Island. The total land area of all islands in the township is 41.84 km² (16.15 sq mi).
The Township of Pelee is on the same latitude as northern California and has substantially more growing units. It has a population of 256 permanent residents (2001 census), but that number can swell to over 1,500 during the summer months, and on long weekends at least three thousand people are there. Due to its location, it has a slightly milder climate than inland areas. Its climate, classified as Carolinian, is one of the mildest in the country, and the island has long been used for vineyards and wine making. The wine industry was started here in 1860 and died out in the early twentieth century, but was started again in the 1980s. The island is an agricultural based community which grows about 5000 acres (20 km²) of soybeans, about 1,000 acres (4 km²) of wheat, 500 acres (2 km²) of grapes, and a few acres of specialty corn.
Pelee is known for its autumn pheasant hunting which is the most lucrative form of tourism. The gross revenue to the hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, transportation companies, and local businesses is about a million dollars over a six day period.
The island has been moving gradually towards a tourist oriented economy every year. Pelee Island is also part of an important flyway for migrating birds between Ohio, the Lake Erie islands and Point Pelee.
The island is serviced by two ferries, the MV Jiimaan and the MV Pelee Islander. The MV Jiimaan is the largest passenger ferry along the Lake Erie route to Pelee Island. At 61 metres in length, the Jiimaan can transport 400 passengers and 40 vehicles. The leisurely cruise to Pelee Island can range from one-and-a-half to just over two hours depending on departure routes. The time of year determines whether mainland passengers board the ferry at nearby Kingsville or Leamington, Ontario, or on occasion, Sandusky, Ohio. While on board, passengers can enjoy light meals and refreshments or browse for souvenirs in the gift shop. Children have access to activities. Built in 1992 at Port Weller Dry Docks, the Jiimaan has safely transported passengers to and from the Island.
The older MV Pelee Islander, which continues to operate, carries 196 passengers and 14 vehicles. The MV Upper Canada, which serviced Pelee prior to the Jiiman, was sent to Lake Huron when the Jiiman began service to Pelee.
[edit] References
- Pelee township, Ontario Statistics Canada
[edit] External links
| Northwest: Essex | North: Kingsville/Leamington, Ontario | Northeast: Point Pelee |
| West: Lake Erie |
Pelee, Ontario | East: Lake Erie |
| Southwest: Put-In-Bay, Ohio | South: Sandusky, Ohio | Southeast: Cleveland, Ohio |
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