Before the very recent innovations in information technology and telecommunications, communication between individuals and communities occurred only when people made the effort of displacing themselves. Even indirect communication by mail depended (and still depends) on travel by air, land, and sea. Until the early years of the twentieth century, Islanders were restricted by their ability and desire to walk and by the navigability of rough trails through winter blizzards and spring muck. Those wishing to come to or leave the Island in winter were at the mercy of unpredictable weather conditions while travelling between 9 to 23 kilometres across the Strait on iceboats. The close-knit quality of Island communities, rich traditions of storytelling and music-making in family homes, and our famous friendly hospitality all have their roots in the Island’s limited transportation infrastructure that prevailed until the middle of the twentieth century. Today, however, we are innovators in modern transportation and communications. Indeed, Prince Edward Island is linked with the world and still we are able to maintain the strong identity that forms our Island Way of Life. Roads A mere two hundred years ago, Prince Edward Island had no “roads” to speak of. Today, however, we have more paved highway per capita than any province in Canada. Ferry Service As we are separated from the mainland by the Northumberland Strait, travel to and from Prince Edward Island has depended on a reliable ferry service. Confederation Bridge The world’s longest bridge over ice-covered water, the Confederation Bridge is the grandest addition to the Island’s transportation infrastructure, signalling a new era in inter-provincial travel and transport. Confederation Trail The closing of the railway in Prince Edward Island ended an important part of the province’s transportation history. But that loss has been turned into a wonderful benefit in the form of a multi-use trail extending the length of the Island. Air Travel Maintaining an aero-link with the mainland has sometimes been a struggle for small Prince Edward Island. Nonetheless, the Charlottetown airport persists in providing Islanders and visitors alike with daily connections between the Island and the world.