Ottawa travel guide. Part 2

Ottawa, one of the fastest growing cities in North America

Ottawa, capital of the second largest country in the world and one of the fastest growing cities in North America, has been labeled as one of the most beautiful capitals and one of the most unique as well. Here’s an Ottawa Travel Guide that will show you the way through this lively cosmopolitan city that has managed to maintain the appeal and open environment of any smaller town. This city is the second largest in the province of Ontario after Toronto and the fourth largest in the Map of Canada. 

Although this town has been capital of the country since 1857, in 1969 a much-larger Capital region was formed, covering the region of Gatineau as well. Ottawa is located less than an hour’s drive from the American border, south of the Ottawa River that divides the province of Ontario with Quebec, facing the city of Gatineau (on the Quebec side of the river), along which Ottawa shares the title of National Capital Region. 

The city of Ottawa

The city of Ottawa is bilingual, both English and French are official and not only government services are provided in both languages, several areas keep street signs in both languages as well. The city belongs to what’s known as the “bilingual belt” where 63% of all bilingual Canadians reside. Therefore, although English is given a slight prevalence over French in this city, you might want to consider learning at least a few French sentences. 

Ottawa’s ethnic populations

Despite this, staff in almost all hotels, restaurants and shops are fluent in both languages and the majority of citizens’ first language is English. You must take into accountancy as well that among the 1.1 million inhabitants of Ottawa, there are countless ethnic populations, among which:

• 350,000 are Chinese
• 400,000 are Italian
• 127,000 are Greek

Therefore, these three other languages are widely spoken in numerous neighborhoods. 

Ottawa Museums

This capital is renowned for its exceptional national museums, its excellent cultural facilities and its large acres of parks and gardens that surround the myriad bicycle and jogging paths. There are plenty of Bed and Breakfast accommodations, as well as numerous great hotels that accompany the busy scenario of café-bars and restaurants. 

Here is a list of sights you must not miss during your stay:

• ByWard Market
• Canadian Museum of Civilization
• National Gallery of Canada
• Canada Aviation Museum
• Canada Science and Technology Museum
• Canadian Museum of Nature
• Bytown Museum
• Parliament Hill
• Mosaika Parliament Hill Sound & Light Show,
• Canadian War Museum
• National Gallery
• Canada Agriculture Museum
• Rideau Hall
• Diefenbunker – Canada’s Cold War Museum