Ottawa Introduction

Publish Time：2016-03-04 13:28:33Source：WTCF

【Introduction】：Ottawa is Canada’s capital, a dynamic showcase city of more than one million people Located in Ontario, bordering Quebec, it’s a place where you’ll hear English and French spoken in the streets.

City Introduction

Ottawa is Canada’s capital, a dynamic showcase city of more than one million people. Located in Ontario, bordering Quebec, it’s a place where you’ll hear English and French spoken in the streets. You can discover Canada’s proud heritage at impressive national sites and famous landmarks, including the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

History

In 1610, the first Europeans passed by Ottawa on their way to the Great Lakes. The early explorers and traders were later followed by many missionaries. In 1800, a New Englander created the first settlement in Hull.

In 1857, Queen Victoria selected Ottawa as the permanent capital of the Province of Canada. In 1867, pursuant to the British North America Act, the colonies of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia joined to form the autonomous federal Dominion of Canada. In 1931, Canada achieved near total independence from the United Kingdom with the Statute of Westminster 1931, and full sovereignty was attained when the Canada Act of 1982 removed the last remaining ties of legal dependence on the British parliament.

Natural Environment

Ottawa is located in the southeastern part of Ontario. It is on south bank of the Ottawa River, 400 kilometers east of Toronto and 190 kilometers west of Montreal. Ottawa is in the lowlands with an average elevation of about 109 meters.

Climate

Ottawa has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid in Ottawa. Daytime temperatures of 30 °C (86 °F) or higher are commonplace. Snow and ice are dominant during the winter season. Ottawa receives about 224 cm of snowfall annually. Days above freezing and nights below −20 °C (−4 °F) both occur in the winter.

Spring and fall weather varies, prone to extremes in temperature and unpredictable swings in conditions. Annual precipitation averages around 940 mm.

Holidays

New Year's Day: Jan.1st

Family Day: The Third Monday of February, local holiday

Good Friday: The Friday before Easter

Easter Monday: The Monday after Easter

Victoria Day: The Monday before May 25th

Canada Day: July 1st

Civic Day: The first Monday of August, local holiday

Labor Day: The first Monday of September

Thanksgiving: The second Monday of October

Christmas Day: Dec.25th