Ottawa - the capital of Canada

Ottawa is the capital of Canada and is the country's fourth largest city with over 1.1 million residents calling it home. The region is 4,662 sq km (1,800 sq mi) in size with over 90 per cent of its area lying in a country setting. Ottawa is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Ottawa - Canada's capital

Ottawa is alive with a wide range of cultural and historical sites, which offer visitors endless sightseeing opportunities. First of all, Ottawa is the centre of Canadian government, and Parliament Hill is the site of numerous festivals, light shows, tours, and of course, Royal Canadian Mounted Police parades which are a must to see for all the city guests. Secondly, the famous ByWard Market offers open-air shops and a wide selection of restaurants and nightclubs. Any Ottawan will agree that ByWard Market is a great place to go for a Sunday afternoon stroll, or a Saturday night on the town. Being the definitive center of nightlife in Ottawa, it is a major attraction for one and all. Moreover, Ottawa has loads of culture and history. There are 29 museums, 12 of which exhibit national treasures. The Museum of Nature looks like a castle straight from medieval times and is sure to spark your interest and imagination. Other Ottawa's famous museums include the Museums of Science and Technology and Civilization Aviation.

Parliament Hill

Ottawa is a city of festivals. Some of the major musical events in the summer are The Jazz Festival, Blues Fest, The Chamber Music festival. In winter, Winterlude is the main attraction with Rideau Canal, the world's largest ice skating rink, being the locus of activities. Spring in Ottawa is greeted by the colourful Tulip Festival.

Rideau Canal

Both Ottawa's residents and its visitors are given plenty of opportunities to take part in numerous sports and recreation activities. The Senators is Ottawa's National Hockey League (NHL) hockey team. The Ottawa Renegades football team is part of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Lynx is city's triple-A Baseball team and games are played at the Lynx Stadium. There are active soccer and cricket teams in the city. There are plenty of bicycle paths maintained by the National Capital Commission (NCC) in the city and going into the nearby Gatineau Park. Gatineau Park is a beautiful escape just minutes from the city, with lakes, hiking trails and picnic areas. In winter the park becomes a popular venue for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. There are also plenty of cross country ski trails within the city.

Gatineau Park

Ottawa surely attracts millions of tourists every year because its sites are breathtaking, its people are friendly, and the selection of activities to engage with is endless. One of North America's oldest cities, Montreal is just a two hour drive away from Ottawa. Famous for its nightlife, rich culture and variety of activities, it is a popular destination for a day trip.