Eastern Ontario Map
Regional map with Ottawa, Kingston, and the St. Lawrence corridor.
About Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada and the second-largest city in Ontario. It is the seat of the federal Parliament, the Supreme Court, and most government departments. Major institutions include the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History (across the river in Gatineau), the National Arts Centre, and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that becomes the world's largest skating rink each winter.
Geography & Major Routes
The city straddles the Ottawa River and includes a mix of urban core, suburbs, and rural belt. Major highways include Highway 417 (the Queensway), which crosses the city east-west, and Highway 416 connecting south toward the 401. The Macdonald-Cartier International Airport serves the region. Bilingualism is woven into the city's character due to its position adjacent to French-speaking Quebec.
Ottawa Districts & Communities
Notable areas include Centretown and the ByWard Market downtown, the Glebe and Old Ottawa South for residential and shopping, Sandy Hill near the University of Ottawa, Westboro for restaurants, and Kanata as a major technology employment node. Outlying communities include Orleans, Barrhaven, Stittsville, and the rural villages absorbed by amalgamation in 2001.
Region
Ottawa is part of Eastern Ontario, with a population of approximately 1 million. For broader context, see the Eastern Ontario regional map and the Ontario map with cities.