Ottawa Vacations, Ottawa Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Ottawa Vacation Guide

Ottawa was named as the capital of Canada by Queen Victoria in 1857. Ottawa's location, right at the border of Quebec, balanced both the French and English speaking parts of the country. Ottawa was also thought to be of a safe enough distance from the United States and is served by both the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal.

Today, the National Capital Region, which includes the city of Gatineau in the province of Québec, is home to over a million English and French speaking inhabitants. Being the nation's capital, it is home to many national institutions, among them the Parliament Buildings (including the famous 'Peace Tower') and the National Gallery. Aside from politicians, one can expect to meet a fair number of students from the city's three universities and several colleges, as well as high-tech employees.

The city is surrounded by green space, providing residents and visitors alike lots of opportunities to escape the urban life. In winter, the Rideau Canal forms the world's longest skating rink. As well, in the area surrounding Ottawa is one of the most extensive cross-country skiing trail network in North America.