City of Ottawa Ontario: Canada's CapitalThe city of Ottawa Ontario is Canada's capital, though the Capital area also includes Gatineau, across the Ottawa River in Quebec. Originally called Bytown, after Colonel By, who was in charge of building the Rideau Canal (finished 1832), Ottawa developed from a worker's camp, then the growing town's name and status changed to 'city' in 1855, until, in 1857, Ottawa was promoted to being Canada's Capital by Queen Victoria. Perhaps the only reminder of Bytown today is the district of Byward, with its famous market and the Bytown Museum, which tells the story of Ottawa's earliest years. Canada, in common with other federal-type developing countries,
wanted a capital that was separate from the existing principal
cities so none of the established cities was offended. In
Canada's case, the city of Ottawa Ontario was a nicely neutral loacation between Montreal and
Toronto,
the two main contenders at the time, though
Kingston
too was lobbying hard for the honor. The location, with a prosperous province of Quebec town alongside the Ontario one, made it a 'safe' choice.
Where you have government, you soon get company headquarters and Ottawa is no exception. Canadian companies, such as the software company Corel, have their Head Offices in and around Ottawa. In a nation's capital, you get its cultural promotions. Those things the government and people think demonstrate their uniqueness. In Ottawa's case it's the Canadian Museums of Agriculture, Aviation, Civilization, Currency (money), Nature, Science & Technology, and everybody's favorite, War. Other National Museums in Ottawa include the Library and Archives of Canada and the Laurier House Historic Site.
Cultural attractions are a part of the things to do and things to see in any city. Less formal entertainment -- such as theatre, shows, art galleries, movies, shopping, and sports -- usually make up the greater part. Worth a special mention in cultural attractions is the August Holiday Weekend Sparks Street Buskers Festival where 'street performers' from around the world come to strut their stuff, everything from acrobats, clowns, drummers (as in the photo), jugglers, singers and everything in-between.
There are a number of sports teams to watch, include the Ottawa
Senators (Ottawa's NHL ice hockey team) and the Ottawa 67s (Ontario Hockey League). As well, a number of Junior Canadian football teams, the Sooners, Riders, and Cumberland Panthers play in Ottawa and I mustn't forget the Ottawa Fury, the women's soccer team.
Outdoor participation sports include the world's largest skating rink -- the Rideau Canal, shown in the photo above, which freezes each winter and is open to skaters of all ages and abilities with plenty of stops for rest and refreshment along its banks. Downhill skiing is well represented with plenty of slopes in the hills around and near the city. The city of Ottawa Ontario hosts the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, and a number of other more local galleries, such as the Ottawa Art Gallery. Being the capital, Ottawa has impressive galleries. If art is your passion though, don't miss the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. Theatres include the National Arts Centre, the Great Canadian Theatre Company, and Centrepointe Theatre. The Ottawa Transport Commission (OTCO) operates buses throughout the city and suburbs, with specially designed pick up and drop off points in many locations, rather than old-fashioned bus stops (though they have them too), to speed progress for commuters by bus or car. Hotels and other places to stay include luxury hotels like the Chateau Laurier or the Lord Elgin, as well as the regular international chains, such as Marriott and Holiday Inn, as well as suite hotels, like the Minto. But more of that later.
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The city of Ottawa Ontario has grown from a handful of settlers then to over 800,000 people today. The Parliament Building was added in 1859 and Rideau Hall, the Governor-General's official residence since 1864 (it was built earlier and much modified). Along with Parliament is the Federal civil service, housed in buildings throughout the city.
