The 45-km Hillsborough is the largest river on Prince Edward Island - it almost splits the island in two en route to its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean. The character of the Hillsborough is influenced by the constant rise and fall of tides. Wetlands along the river provide habitat for rare plants, fish, Great Blue Herons and more. The most surprising feature of the river is its variety of wildlife due to diversity of habitat; however, like so much of the province, no part of the Hillsborough remains unaltered by humans. For centuries this river was the obvious and well-travelled route into the heartland of the island.