The name “Ottawa” was adapted from an Indian word, Outaouak, the name of the Algonquin tribe that settled and traded furs in the area.

Situated on the Ottawa River, a common border shared by the Provinces of Ontario and Québec, Ottawa uniquely represents the nation, reflecting our two founding cultures.

A destination that presents Canada’s history and culture, located on the banks of the Ottawa River, an ideal setting for the home of the nation's Parliament Buildings. Ottawa is the capital of Canada, one of the leading nations of the world. It is one of a few cities around the world, which is bilingual in French and English. This beautiful city voted the best city in Canada and sixth overall in the world.

Ottawa is safe, clean and green. Unwind in our naturally beautiful city, surrounded by three rivers and enclosed by a 42,240-acre greenbelt of protected farmland, wetlands. The Rideau Canal strolls through the city and the Gatineau Hills and Park, which offer exceptional recreational opportunities as well as amazing views.

Even though Ottawa is chiefly recognized as being the Capital of Canada, it offers so much more. The City of Ottawa continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in Canada, stimulating its community life with a large multi-cultural population. Though filled with history and tradition, the city has grown far beyond its character as a "government town". Generally nicknamed as "Silicon Valley North", Ottawa offers not only a very vibrant community in which to live, but also one to visit. An architecturally stunning city with a unique combination of urban and rural experiences, the ambiance in Ottawa is ever changing, something for everyone.

The world's largest Tulip Festival held annually in Ottawa, Canada's capital. Most of the tulips you see in Ottawa are descended from ones presented as a “Gift of International Friendship” from the Netherlands in appreciation after World War II, where Canadian troops played a major role in the liberation of Holland, as well as giving the Dutch Royal Family refuge in Ottawa. This gesture of gratitude was to become a tradition. Ottawa celebrates its tulips with the Tulip Festival in May, when numerous musicians and other entertainers from across the country perform. The blooming of the bulbs became a national tourist attraction and the first official Tulip Festival took place in 1953. Queen Juliana herself attended the Festival during a royal visit in our Centennial year of 1967. Princess Margriet of the Netherlands returned to Ottawa in 1995, officially opening the Festival and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands. Every year, the Dutch people donate 10,000 bulbs and in 1995, an additional 5,000 bulbs for Parliament Hill,1,000 for each provincial and territorial capital and 1,000 for Ste. Anne's hospital in Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue, Que. (the only remaining federal hospital in Canada, administered by Veterans Affairs Canada). Now the Festival features over 2 million of dazzling colourful, display of blooms.