Belfast, Prince Edward Island

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Belfast (2001 pop.: 1,839) is a small Canadian rural community located in southeastern Queens County, Prince Edward Island in the township of Lot 57.

Situated on the island's south shore along the Northumberland Strait, Belfast is predominantly an agricultural district. Blessed by good farmland, Belfast was the landing site of Lord Selkirk's settlers 1803. These poor displaced Scottish farmers soon established on the best land in the area and it became one of the most productive farming districts in the colony. The Presbyterian Scots were joined in the mid-1800s by displaced Irish potato famine refugees who were forced to take poor land in surrounding areas.

Political, social and economic tensions between the Catholic Irish and Presbyterian Scots boiled over during a general election in March, 1847, resulting in what has become known as the Belfast Riot.

The Community of Belfast was incorporated in 1972 and contains the following localities or settlements:

  • Belfast
  • Melville
  • Iona
  • Culloden
  • Eldon
  • Flat River
  • Fodhla
  • Garfield
  • Lower Newtown
  • Mount Buchanan
  • Mount Vernon
  • Pinette
  • Roseberry
  • Valley
  • Surrey
  • Belle River
  • Wood Islands