Editing Manitoulin Island (section)

==Culture==
[[File:Mississagi Strait Lighthouse.JPG|thumb|Mississagi Strait Lighthouse on Manitoulin Island]]
[[File:Cup and Saucer hiking trail, Manitoulin Island (ca 2007).jpg|thumb|right|View from the Cup and Saucer Hiking Trail]]
[[File:NE Manitoulin ON.JPG|thumb|Rural countryside]]
[[File:Gore Bay Manitoulin.JPG|thumb|right|Gore Bay]]

The island has two incorporated towns ([[Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands]] and [[Gore Bay, Ontario|Gore Bay]]), eight [[township (Canada)|townships]] ([[Assiginack, Ontario|Assiginack]], [[Billings, Ontario|Billings]], [[Burpee and Mills, Ontario|Burpee and Mills]], [[Central Manitoulin, Ontario|Central Manitoulin]], [[Dawson Township, Manitoulin District, Ontario|Dawson]], [[Gordon/Barrie Island]], [[Robinson Township, Ontario|Robinson]] and [[Tehkummah, Ontario|Tehkummah]]) and six [[Anishinaabe]] [[Indian reserve|reserve]]s ([[M'Chigeeng, Ontario|M'Chigeeng]], Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, Aundeck Omni Kaning, [[Wiikwemkoong First Nation|Wiikwemkoong]] and [[Zhiibaahaasing 19, Ontario|Zhiibaahaasing]]).

During the summer, the population (12,600 permanent residents) on the island grows by more than a quarter due to tourists coming for boating and other activities in scenic surroundings. The island, along with several smaller neighbouring islands, constitutes the [[Manitoulin District, Ontario|Manitoulin District]] [[Census divisions of Canada|census division]] of Ontario.

Manitoulin Island's soil is relatively [[alkaline]], which precludes the growth of common [[Northern Ontario]] flora such as [[blueberries]], but allows for the island's trademark [[hawberries]]. These berries are so distinctive that people born on the island are referred to as "[[Haweaters]]". Each year on the August [[long weekend]], the island hosts the Haweater Festival. The festival attracts numerous tourists; it features parades, firework shows, craft shows, and rural competitions such as horse pulls.