Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Ottawa, Canada
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ottawa_from_Point_Champlain.jpg
Author: PD
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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
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Author: Yann.fauche
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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
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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
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Places of Interest in Ottawa

Parliament Building of Canada
Neo-Gothic sandstone buildings completed in 1860.
Bytown Museum
Museum in Ottawa's oldest stone building.
Rideau Canal
Waterway built in the 19th century, now a World Heritage Site
Rideau Hall
Official residence of Queen Elizabeth II in Ottawa.
Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel
Heritage hotel built in the 1900's.
Canadian War Museum
Museum documenting the nation's military history.
Royal Canadian Mint
Originally the British Royal Mint, it now produces special edition coins and Maple Leaf investment coins.
Cathédrale Notre Dame
Ottawa's best known Roman Catholic church.
ByWard Market
Market place with craft shops, cafes, boutiques, and the like.
Laurier House
Former residence of 19th century Canadian prime ministers Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mackenzie King, now a national historic site.
Central Experimental Farm
Project to research and improve on farming and horticulture.
National Arts Centre
Performing arts centre of Ottawa.
National Currency Museum
Museum housed in the former Bank of Canada building that documents the history of money.
National Museum of Science and Technology
Interactive museum that provides an insight into science and technology.
Canada Aviation Museum
Museum housing over 100 aircrafts.
National Gallery of Canada
One of the three largest museums in Canada housing an impressive collect of art.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Museum showcasing fossils, stuffed mammals, birds and other wildlife.
Canada Agricultural Museum
A working farm with barns and horse-drawn wagon.

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