About Canada Capital
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Facts about Ottawa, the Capital of Canada
| Category | Specific Fact | Details / Value |
|---|---|---|
| Official Status | Capital City | Federal capital of Canada (since 1857; chosen by Queen Victoria) |
| Former Name | Historical | Bytown (founded 1826; incorporated as Ottawa 1855) |
| Country / Province | Location | Canada / Ontario (southeastern; borders Quebec across Ottawa River) |
| Time Zone | Standard | Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5); observes Daylight Saving (EDT, UTC−4) |
| Official Languages | Bilingual | English & French (highly bilingual city; reflects national character) |
| Motto / Nicknames | Unofficial | "Canada's Capital"; "Nation's Capital"; "Tech City"; "Festival City" |
| Total Area (City Proper) | Land + Water | 2,790.31 km² (1,077.34 sq mi); Land: 2,788.20 km² |
| Elevation | Average / Range | ~70–100 m (230–330 ft); rises from Ottawa River bluff |
| Geographic Position | Region | Confluence of Ottawa, Gatineau & Rideau Rivers; eastern Ontario; ~200 km west of Montréal, ~365 km northeast of Toronto |
| Metro Area (Ottawa–Gatineau CMA / NCR) | Total Area | ~6,287 km² (2,427 sq mi) |
| City Population (2021 Census) | Official | 1,017,449 (4th largest in Canada) |
| City Population (2025–2026 Est.) | Projections | ~1,097,760–1,196,385 (City of Ottawa / World Population Review est.) |
| Metro Area Population (Ottawa–Gatineau CMA, 2026 Est.) | Current | ~1,480,000 (Macrotrends / recent projections) |
| Metro Population (2021 Census) | Base | 1,488,307 (4th largest CMA in Canada) |
| Population Density (City) | Approx. | ~365–430 persons/km² (low due to large rural areas) |
| Immigrant Population | Recent | ~25% foreign-born; highly diverse & multicultural |
| Climate Type | Köppen | Humid continental (Dfb); cold, snowy winters & warm, humid summers |
| Average Annual Temperature | Mean | ~6–7°C (43°F); July warmest ~26°C (79°F high), January coldest ~-5 to -15°C (23 to 5°F) |
| Annual Precipitation | Total | ~943 mm (37 inches); moderate rainfall |
| Annual Snowfall | Average | ~177 cm (69.5 inches); heavy winter snow (Dec–Mar peak) |
| Best Visiting Seasons | Recommended | Summer (June–Sept: festivals, warm); Winter (Winterlude skating); Spring (Tulip Festival) |
| GDP (Ottawa–Gatineau CMA, recent) | Nominal | ~CA$89.9 billion (2020 base; higher in 2025–2026) |
| Major Sectors | Key Industries | Federal Government (largest employer), High-Tech (Silicon Valley North: Shopify, Nokia, etc.), Defence/Aerospace, Tourism, Education/Health |
| Median Household Income | Recent | ~CA$85,000–$100,000+ (high in Canada) |
| Unemployment Rate | Recent | Low (tech & government stable); strong job market |
| National Role | Seat of Government | Location of Parliament Hill, Supreme Court, Prime Minister's residence (24 Sussex), Rideau Hall (Governor General) |
| Mayor (as of 2026) | Current | Mark Sutcliffe (elected 2022; ongoing term) |
| City Government | Structure | Single-tier municipality (amalgamated 2001); 24 wards |
| Key National Sites | Parliament Hill | Parliament Buildings (Centre Block renovations ongoing), Peace Tower, Centennial Flame |
| UNESCO Site | Rideau Canal | World's largest skating rink (winter); historic waterway (summer boating) |
| Major Museums | Notable | National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau), Canadian Museum of Nature, Canadian War Museum |
| Festivals | Annual | Canadian Tulip Festival (May), Winterlude (Feb skating & ice sculptures), Bluesfest, Canada Day (July 1 fireworks) |
| Other Attractions | Popular | ByWard Market, National Arts Centre, Gatineau Park, Dows Lake, Interzip zipline (interprovincial) |
| Livability Ranking 2026 | Recent Awards | #1 most livable city in Canada & North America (Numbeo); top in quality of life (cost, safety, healthcare, commute) |
| Global Ranking | 2026 | 73rd World's Best Cities (Resonance/Ipsos); high educational attainment (4th globally) |
| Tourism | Visitors | Over 11 million annually; major national & international draw |
| Transportation | Key | Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW); O-Train LRT (expanding); connected to VIA Rail |
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Locations of Cities of Canada
- Where is London, Canada
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- Where is Calgary
- Where is Ottawa
- Where is Sydney, Nova Scotia
- Where is Woodstock
- Where is Winnipeg
- Where is Halifax
- Where is Perth, Ontario
- Where is Cornwall, Ontario
- Where is Waterloo
- Where is Windsor, Canada
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- Where is Banff
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