Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and the fourth-largest city in the country. Located in eastern Ontario, Ottawa sits on the south bank of the Ottawa River, directly across from Gatineau, Quebec. In 2026, the city is celebrating its bicentennial (Ottawa 200+), marking two centuries since its founding as Bytown in 1826.

History

Originally inhabited by the Algonquin people, the area was settled by Europeans in the early 1800s. In 1826, Colonel John By founded Bytown during the construction of the Rideau Canal. The city was renamed Ottawa in 1855 and selected as the national capital by Queen Victoria in 1857.

Throughout 2026, the city is hosting Ottawa 200+ celebrations, featuring immersive history galleries in the ByWard Market and Indigenous cultural installations across the city.

Government and Politics

As the national capital, Ottawa is the seat of the federal government.

Parliament Hill: Currently undergoing a massive restoration. As of 2026, the Peace Tower is enclosed in a specialized scaffolding wrap to allow for masonry repairs while preserving its visual profile.
Block 2: Modernization is underway on the city block south of Parliament Hill to create integrated parliamentary workspaces.

Economy

The economy is anchored by public administration and a robust technology sector known as "Silicon Valley North." In 2026, the city has emerged as a leader in green infrastructure, supported by the federal Build Canada Homes initiative.

Major Attractions

Rideau Canal: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s longest skating rink.
Canadian Museum of History: Host to the new Gatineau Christmas Village (2026).
ByWard Market: A historic market known for local food and the 2026 Bicentennial food festivals.
National Gallery of Canada: Housing the country's premier art collection.

Transportation

The city's transit network saw significant expansion in the mid-2020s:

O-Train Stage 2: The Line 1 East Extension to Orléans is fully operational as of early 2026.
South Extension: Lines 2 and 4 provide high-speed links to the Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport.

Neighborhoods

Centretown: The historic and political core.
The Glebe: Known for high-end boutiques and TD Place Stadium.
Kanata: The primary hub for the city’s 5G and software tech sectors.
Orléans: A rapidly growing, primarily francophone suburb.
Westboro: Trendy residential area with vibrant local dining.

Did You Know?

Ottawa is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2026.
The city's Winterlude festival remains one of the largest winter festivals in the world.
Ottawa consistently ranks as one of the cleanest capital cities globally.