Ottawa, Canada

Ottawa, Canada
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ottawa_from_Point_Champlain.jpg
Author: PD


Ottawa, a municipality within Ontario, serves as the capital of Canada. It has a population of 812,000, making it the second largest municipality in Ontario, and the fourth largest in the country. It is part of the Ottawa-Gatineau metropolitan area which has 1.1 million inhabitants.

Ottawa was named after its original inhabitants, the Odaawaa First Nations indigenous people. The first group of Europeans to settle in the Ottawa area was Philemon Wright, a New Englander from Massachusetts, who arrived with five other families and twenty-five labourers.

Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Parliament of Canada, Ottawa
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ParliamentCA-Changing_the_Guard.jpg
Author: Yann.fauche


Ottawa was chosen by Queen Victoria as the capital of the Province of Canada on 31 December, 1857. The choice, as advised by the Queen's advisers is Ottawa's location between Canada East (Quebec) and Canada West (Ontario). Secondly, the location of Ottawa relatively distant from the US border makes it safe from American attacks. Thirdly, Ottawa is roughly midway between Toronto and Quebec City, and finally, its small population means there is little likelihood of big group of politcally motivated mobs could destroy government buildings.

The municipality of Ottawa was formed in 2001 by an amalgamation of the old city of Ottawa with several surrounding suburbs and towns.

Library of Parliament, Ottawa
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Library_of_Parliament_.jpg
Author: Padraic Ryan

Travel to Ottawa

The Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is the main airport for flight to Ottawa. Budget travelers leaving the airport can take Bus No. 97, getting off at the Mackenzie King transitway stop. The fare is $3.25, or $2.50 with pre-purchased tickets.

Travel within Ottawa

The public transportation in Ottawa comprises the bus and the light rail system called O-Train.

Canada War Museum, Ottawa
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canadianwarmuseummgs.jpg
Author: Skeezix1000

Places of Interest in Ottawa

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