5 Awesome Facts About Ottawa, Canada

Canada is one of the most amazing countries in the world. It has amazing scenic views, bustling city life, and the best poutine you’ll ever eat. One of the most interesting places in the country is Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. Originally called “Bytown,” this city is one of the most important to the heritage and culture of Canada because of its long history. It is a safe area where there are many jobs available, lots of things to do, and an abundance of interesting individuals to encounter. Here are some facts you might not know about this amazing city.

A diverse city

One of the greatest qualities of Ottawa is that, even though it is the capital city of Canada, about one-fourth of its residents were born outside of the country. While the large majority are white Caucasians, many residents are from Italy, Ireland, Germany, Scotland, and the UK. Ottawa is also a multilingual city, with half of its residents speaking English.

A trade hub

The name itself, “Ottawa,” comes from the word “adawe,” which means “to trade.” Back in the day, the Ottawa tribe did extensive trading with other tribes and, eventually, with the French. Back then, fur was the big item. It was a great area, centrally located to the vast body of water, the Ottawa River, which eventual is the reason the timber trade industry became so booming in this area. The water made it a popular travel route for indigenous people, as they were able to camp on the banks and eventually make permanent settlements in the area. Because of this early trade, Ottawa became a central hub for all things business in Canada, and the name is still fitting, as it continues to be an important area in the country for trade today.

A great place to live

Ottawa is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Canada, if not the best. For three years running, it held the title of “Best Place to Live” according to Moneysense, but currently sits within the top ten. This is due to quality schools, a great job market, and a low crime rate. If you fall in love with this city, as many have over the years, there are a lot of great Ottawa townhouses and homes on the market today.

A festival paradise

One of the greatest parts of Ottawa is that you’ll never run out of things to do. With over 30 popular festivals held each year, it has earned its nickname, “festival city.” There are so many opportunities to get out in the community and experience something new, and their prominent festivals are one of the best ways to do so. One of the best and most popular, the Canadian Tulip Festival, is held every spring and attracts visitors from around the world. Ottawa also holds 14 national museums, rich in Canadian culture, so you’ll never run out of things to do year-round.

A chilly area

While Ottawa is full of things to see, learn, and experience, it does have its downsides, especially if you’re often cold. It’s a little-known fact, but Ottawa is actually one of the coldest capital cities in the world! It ranks 7th, just after Ulaan-Baatar (Mongolia), Astana (Kazakhastan), Moscow (Russia), Helsinki (Finland), Reykjavik (Iceland) and Tallin (Estonia). While it may be chilly, it was also ranked one of the cleanest cities in the world. The cold isn’t always bad, though. Many people from Ottawa hope for a chilly winter so that the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located downtown, freezes over. When it does, it becomes the longest ice skating rink in the entire world.

An eco-friendly place

One of the things that most sets Ottawa apart is its passion for keeping the city as eco-friendly as possible. The downtown area holds over 30 green-certified buildings, 600 kilometers of biking trails, and a plethora of sustainable food options. It was also awarded the gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community award presented by Share the Road Cycling Coalition. The city encourages its residents to be eco-friendly both in town, at home, and at work, and continues to provide green options for the community in every area of life. As mentioned before, Ottawa is one of the cleanest cities in the world, and, with how much care is put into creating a sustainable future for its residents, we can easily see why.