This map shows the island before the marshes were drained and is from about 1860.

Canada South, the southernmost territory or Canada, is comprised of a number of islands which form an archipelago in the Western Basin of Lake Erie, Pelee Island and Middle Island are situated just above the Canadian-American border, between latitude 41 degrees, 45 minutes, and 41 degrees, 41 minutes. The climate on these islands boasts the highest heat units in the country, and the longest frost free season in Ontario. Along with the aforementioned differences, are many others, the foremost being the condition of isolation. To this place apart settlers came to make a living, one defined by difficulty in perseverance.

The island has an area of 4090.56 hectares. The length from Lighthouse Point in the north to Fish Point in the south is 12.47 km. The highest point, 2.4 km north of West Dock, is only 26.8 metres above lake level (i.e., not sea level). Much of the land is 0.61-0.91 metres below lake level and
originally constituted a marsh virtually dividing the arable land into a North and a South Island. Drainage was begun privately in 1888 by Dr. John M. Scudder, of Cleveland, and Lemuel S. Brown, of Pelee. Dikes along the low-lying shores cause the island to resemble a miniature Holland.