What is the Capital of Canada?
Ottawa is the capital of Canada. Ottawa is one of the unique cities in Canada. It has many national landmarks such as Parliament Hill (the same building as the Houses of Parliament in England). The National Gallery of Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint, Rideau Canal, Scotiabank Place and others . The Rideau Canal in winter is the site for the longest ice skating and boat tours in the summer.
Ottawa is the seventh coldest capital in the world. The other coldest capitals are Ulaan-Baatar in Mongolia, Astana in Kazakhstan, Moscow, Helsinki, Reykjavik in Iceland and Tallin in Estonia.
Why is Ottawa the capital of Canada?
The choice of Ottawa as the capital is strategic . The city has the advantage of being halfway between two rivals, English-speaking Toronto and French-speaking Montreal, and being on the border with the French-speaking province of Quebec. It also has the advantage of being further from the American border than its counterparts, and of being located in a region of dense forests. However, the American threat has worried the inhabitants of Canada since the War of 1812. Although located in Ontario, Ottawa is a bilingual city , in which there is a large French-speaking minorit.
City of Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada. This status was given to the city by Queen Victoria. But Ottawa is not a capital built according to a master plan, like, for example, Washington and Brasilia. The picturesque Rideau Canal. Which runs through the city center, is dotted with pleasure boats in summer. And people on skates in winter, who enjoy using the river as a natural ice rink 7.8 km long.
In the 19th century, Bytown (renamed Ottawa in 1855) was a work camp infamous throughout North America for constant skirmishes between lumberjacks. And on these dirty and dangerous streets in 1859-1865, to the horror of many Canadians, the Houses of Parliament were erected (open daily for free tours) .
Today, Ottawa’s second source of income after logging is tourism. It is a pleasant city with charming parks and canals, world-class museums and beautiful monuments. Its brief history as the nation’s capital is reflected in its imposing Victorian parliamentary complex, modern office architecture and the art housed in the National Gallery of Canada .
Situated on the border between Ontario and Quebec, Ottawa is a bilingual city. But most French Canadians (and many excellent restaurants) now live in Gatineau, on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River.
Ottawa Geography
Located in the province of Ontario. Along the Ottawa River in the eastern region of southern Ontario.
Ottawa Canada’s sixth-largest city and the second largest city in the province. Covering an estimated area of 2,778.13 square kilometers. It is astronomically located at a latitude of 45.41 and longitude of -75.70, and rises 71 metres above sea level.
Climate
Temperatures in the capital Ottawa vary between summer and winter. The subcontinental climate prevails. The temperatures high in summer and cold in winter. Due to the geographical nature of the city of Ottawa unlike various other Ontario cities. Because of its distance from the shores of Lake Ontario. And for snowfall the depth of snow increases from one centimeter in about 120 days a year compared to only 56 days in Toronto.
Ottawa is also the seventh coldest region around the world. With the highest average temperatures recorded in January -6.1 ° C, and recorded the lowest average temperatures -15.3 ° C, while the summer is relatively short but warm and humid, and July is the hottest month, temperatures may reach 26.5 ° C during the day, while at night it may drop to 15.4 ° C.
Official language of Ottawa
Ottawa is a bilingual city. French and English used. The percentage of people who speak them is about 38%.
The percentage of users of English as the official language is estimated at about 59% of the total population. The proportion of French reached 1%, and when talking about the mother tongue in Ottawa.
The percentage of people who speak English was 61%, and French speakers 14%. Which is higher compared to other Canadian cities except Montreal.
The percentage of the population who own a language other than French or English is about 22%.
Torontois, the economic capital of Canada
Toronto is Canada’s economic capital. Ranked tenth globally as an economic power alongside Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay. According to a ranking published by Forbes magazine.
Included many criteria that were applied to fifty-eight metropolitan cities, including. Flexibility of air communication with cities Other global, the size of the region’s attraction to foreign investment.
The concentration of the headquarters of various institutions. And companies, the productive power, the strength of banking, technology, media, and ethnic diversity. Where the city of Toronto has achieved many of these standards. It become the focus of attention of international investors around the world
