OttawaCapital
Canada · Country profile
Ottawa is the stately, green capital of Canada, the elegant federal city that spreads across the border of the two provinces around the meeting of the two rivers, the Ottawa and the Rideau, in the country of the eastern south-east. The capital of the country since the mid nineteenth century, chosen as a compromise in the borderland between the two great populations of the nation, it is a city of the parliament buildings, the national museums, the canals and the expansive green space that line the banks of the rivers. The gothic towers of the parliament on their hill, the Rideau canal that freezes to a great skating rink in the winter, and the enfilade of the national museums give the city its dignified, measured character, while the markets, the restaurants and the festivals of the boroughs keep its cultural heartbeat. Serious, gorgeous and profoundly civic, Ottawa is the proud, well-ordered capital of the world second-largest country.
About Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada. The city's documented population is around 1,018,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD) and English and French are spoken; the dialling code is +1.
The Parliament Hill and the Changing of the Guard
Ottawa is a riverside capital of the monuments and the green space, with the parliament hill, the canals and the ring of the national museums anchoring the classic walking circuit, and the historic market district running the restaurants and the crafts of the town. The national galleries, the museum of history and the canal cruises fill the days, while the summer festivals and the winter skating of the frozen canal bring the city its great seasonal animations. The boat and the bicycle loops of the river, the views from the observation decks of the hill and the cafes of the old town distribute the leisurely, dignified life of the capital, and the whole city glows with the civic pride of the national seat.
The Canal of the Rideau and the Skating of the Winter
The climate of the capital is four-season Canadian, with the snowy, sparkling winters, the warm, moist summers, and the brilliant spring and the autumn colours of the river valleys, each season with its own festival of the city. The dollar of the country is the currency and the English and the French the two languages of the capital. The parliament, the museums and the market make the core circuit, and the canal, the river and the parks open their walks around the town. Layered, season-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes for the long avenues complete the preparation for the stately federal capital.
The Museums of the Capital and the Market of the ByWard
The parliament buildings of the capital, the extraordinary gothic group of the towers, the libraries and the chambers that crown the hill above the river, stage the free tours of the state, the changing of the ceremonial guards and, in the evenings of the summer, the light and sound show of the towers. The Rideau canal of the capital, the historic waterway that threads the centre of the city in the summer and becomes the great skating rink of the winter world, divides the town into its two historic banks. The national gallery with its famous spider sculpture, the museum of history with its curving glass galleries across the river, and the lively market of the ByWard quarter, with its produce stalls, its restaurants and its nightlife, complete the essential circuit of the beautiful, dignified Canadian capital.
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- Country
- Canada
- Population
- 1,018,000
- Coordinates
- 45.4209, -75.6901
- Capital
- Ottawa
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- Canadian Dollar (CAD)
- Languages
- English, French
- Calling code
- +1
- Country code
- CA
Entry requirements for Canada
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Canada for tourism.
Getting to Ottawa
The nearest airports we list:
Cities in Canada
Other cities we cover in Canada:
Frequently asked questions
Is Ottawa the capital of Canada?
Yes — Ottawa is the capital of Canada.
What currency do I need in Ottawa?
The local currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Languages spoken in Canada include English and French.
What is the dialling code for Canada?
The international dialling code for Canada is +1.
Which airport is nearest to Ottawa?
The nearest airport we list is Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL), about 152 km away.
How far is Ottawa from the nearest airport?
Ottawa is about 152 km from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Canada?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Australia (e-visa), France (e-visa), Germany (e-visa), India (visa required) and Italy (e-visa). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Ottawa? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.