Ottawa in a nutshell
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, although with 1 million inhabitants it is the 4th most populous city in the country.
It was chosen as the capital in 1857 for two main reasons - the centre's strategic, easily defensible location on a bluff above the river, and its location on the border of the largest anglophone province, Ontario, and the largest francophone province, Quebec.
Ottawa therefore meets the ideal location compromise between the English and French speaking parts of the population.
Ottawa is home to the national Parliament of Canada, the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister and the Governor General. You'll find the largest concentration of universities of any Canadian city.
Ottawa is also one of the cities with the highest concentration of historical sites in Canada and is one of the most visited places in the country.
Get more tips for visiting Ottawa
Whether you’re visiting Ottawa for the first time or repeatedly, check out our handy tips and recommendations:
