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Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and the country’s fourth largest city. Ottawa is a municipality that lies within the Province of Ontario and is also a part of the officially-designated National Capital Region that includes the neighboring Quebec municipality of Gatineau. Ottawa was made capital of the British colonial province of Canada in 1857. Today, it is a major metropolis that comprises eleven historic townships and is one of Canada's most bilingual communities, with both English and French acquiring equal status for municipal and federal services. Well advanced in the technology sector, Ottawa is also home to a booming tourism industry.
General climate of the city and the best time to visit:
Owing to its geographical location, Ottawa generally has a humid continental climate. Experiencing a wide range of temperatures throughout the year, Ottawa’s summers reach up to 33° C and hover on average around 20°C in summer, while winters reach –40° C, averaging around –10° C. Ottawa experiences four seasons namely spring, summer, fall and winter, each having its own unique charm, infusing color and beauty throughout the year. Though the summers are warm and humid, snow and ice are also dominant during the winter season, and each season of Ottawa brings about a host of cultural events and distinct yet enjoyable recreational activities.
The continental climate of Ottawa facilitates tourists to visit the splendid city all throughout the year. Offering vacationers a wide array of business, leisure or cultural activities, Ottawa promises to be a popular year-round tourist hotspot.
Area and location:
The city of Ottawa is located in the Ottawa Valley on the eastern border of the province of Ontario, alongside the border with Quebec. It is situated on the south bank of the Ottawa River, where the three rivers, namely the Ottawa River, the Gatineau River and the Rideau River merge together. Ottawa is about 400 km north-east of Toronto and 190 km west of Montreal, with the city itself spanning across an area of 2,778.64 sq. km of the country. Ottawa is located 45°25’15” Latitude North and 75°41’24” Longitude West. The city holds a population of around 808, 391 with a density of around 278.6 per sq. km.
Ottawa’s delicacies:
An attractive tourist destination, Ottawa is also well-known for its unique flavor of Canadian cuisine. Owing to the influence of overseas immigration, Ottawa is also home to some of the world’s greatest cuisine including Continental, Italian, French, Indian, Japanese, Mexican, Spanish and British. There are also several pizza joints and coffee shops in Ottawa’s downtown region that serve up varieties of beverages including choice of teas and coffees. Whether it is the ethnic Japanese Sushi and their Sapporo beer, Indonesian dim-sums, the spicy Indian flavor, or the delectable Italian and French cuisine, it is all served graciously here in Ottawa, offering tourists to savor the delicate taste of fine dining, the Canadian way.
Typical Ottawa delicacies include an array of dishes comprising tender locally raised duck, fresh lamb, beef or venison steaks, along with home-made gourmet dishes garnished with local herbs, seasonal soups, salads, bakery items and various desserts. Some of the Ottawa’s common delicacies are:
- Bacon and Eggs Breakfast
- Rotisserie Chicken
- Sausages
- Steak Tartare
- Baozi (Pork Buns)
- BBQ Chicken or Duck
- Black Pudding
- Butternut Squash Ravioli
- Crème Fraîche
- European Wines
- Fair Trade Coffee or Tea
- Fried Apple Pie
- General Tso's Chicken
- Montreal Smoked Meat
- Reuben Sandwich
- Wild Pacific Salmon
Government:
Since it was bestowed with being the capital of the British colonial province of Canada in 1857, Ottawa, in regards to government and politics, is a politically diverse region. It harbors major political strongholds like the Conservative Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party (NDP), spread across its municipality. Despite the Liberal Party receiving the majority of support from across the city and from the francophones dominated region, the party weakened at the last elections, which saw the new Government of the Conservative Party rise to power.
The national ruling parliamentary Cabinet is led by its leader and Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, along with the Governor-General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean, who are residents of Ottawa. The Ottawa City Council is the municipality’s internal body, while the post of mayor is held by Larry O’ Brien. The Representatives in the House of Commons from Ottawa are 8 MPs and 9 MPPs.
countriesandcapitals provides you with informative details about Canada and its capital city, Ottawa.
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