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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Canada • City

Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and the fourth-largest city in the country by population.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and the fourth-largest city in the country by population. It is located in southeastern Ontario on the south bank of the Ottawa River, across from Gatineau, Quebec, and forms part of the Ottawa–Gatineau metropolitan area.

History

Ottawa developed from the settlement of Bytown, which grew after construction of the Rideau Canal beginning in 1826. It was renamed Ottawa in 1855 and selected by Queen Victoria as Canada’s capital in 1857.

Geography

The city is situated on the south bank of the Ottawa River in southeastern Ontario, near the confluence of the Ottawa, Gatineau, and Rideau rivers. It borders Gatineau, Quebec, across the river.

Government and role

Ottawa is the seat of Canada’s federal government and a major administrative centre. It is also the core city of the National Capital Region.

Population and urban area

According to the 2021 Census, Ottawa had 1,017,449 residents and a metropolitan population of 1,488,307. That makes it Canada’s fourth-largest city and fourth-largest metropolitan area.

Key facts

  • Ottawa is the national capital of Canada.
  • The city lies in southeastern Ontario, opposite Gatineau, Quebec.
  • Ottawa forms the core of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area and the National Capital Region.
  • In the 2021 Census, Ottawa’s population was 1,017,449.
  • Ottawa was originally known as Bytown before being incorporated as Ottawa in 1855.
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Canadian context

Ottawa is Canada’s capital and a central city for federal politics, public administration, and national institutions. Its bilingual character and location on the Ontario–Quebec border make it especially important to Canadian readers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ottawa, Ontario?
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and a city in eastern Ontario.
Where is Ottawa located?
It is in southeastern Ontario on the south bank of the Ottawa River, across from Gatineau, Quebec.
Is Ottawa the capital of Canada?
Yes. Ottawa has been Canada’s capital since Queen Victoria selected it in 1857.
What was Ottawa called before?
The settlement was originally called Bytown before it was incorporated as Ottawa in 1855.
How big is Ottawa’s population?
In the 2021 Census, Ottawa’s city population was 1,017,449 and its metro population was 1,488,307.
What role does Ottawa play in Canada?
Ottawa is the seat of the federal government and a major centre for national administration and institutions.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Ottawa
    Supports: Ottawa as capital city, location in southeastern Ontario, and relation to the Ottawa River.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa
    Supports: 2021 population, metropolitan population, land area, and status as fourth-largest Canadian city and metro area.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Ottawa
    Supports: Bytown origin, incorporation as Ottawa in 1855, selection as capital in 1857, and federal-government role.
  4. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/geography-and-cartography/ottawa
    Supports: History, name change from Bytown, capital status, and geographic setting at the Ottawa and Rideau rivers.