Ottawa : the Nation’s Capital
Earthquake Information for the Ottawa Region
According to the Ottawa Citizen the Ottawa area is in part of one of the most active seismic zones in the country and on average, there's an earthquake in the zone every 5 days, but most of them are too small to be felt. There are approximately 450 earthquakes in the eastern region of Canada every year and a very small percentage of these are the ones that cause damage. The earthquake that was felt in parts of Ottawa in 2010 was relatively benign. Only two such earthquakes have been recorded in the Ottawa region, one in 1935 and the other in 1732! They are still considered small and experts say they are amplified because of the bedrock in the area. For earthquakes tips and information go to: http://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/
Top Tourist Attractions in Ottawa
Being the nation’s capital, there is a lot to do and see in Ottawa! Here are some options.
The Canadian War Museum
Permanent collections as well as special exhibitions, school tours and activities for children.
Location:
Canadian War Museum
1 Vimy Place
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0M8
http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/home
The National Gallery of Canada
A fantastic permanent collection and art school. A must see if you are in Ottawa!
Location:
380 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 9N4
613- 990-1985
http://www.gallery.ca/
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canada’s national natural history museum. Water, frogs, photography, life in the deep sea, moths, it’s all there for the viewing. Fun for all ages!
Location:
240 McLeod Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 2R1
613.566.4700
1.800.263.4433 (toll-free in Canada and U.S.A.)
http://nature.ca/
Bytown Museum
Located in Ottawa’s oldest stone building, relive the days of Bytown! Their mandate is to collect and maintain as much of the early days of Ottawa as possible.
Location:
1 Canal Lane Ottawa
K1P 5P6
613-234-4570
http://www.bytownmuseum.com/
Parliament Buildings
All tours and programs are free!
Check the website for details and not there is NO public parking available on Parliament Hill. Public parking lots are nearby and public transit is also an option.
You must go through security upon entering, so allow extra time.
Toll-free (Canada): 1 (866) 599-4999
613- 992-4793
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/Visitors/index-e.asp
http://ottawa.ca/residents/onthemove/transitway/index_en.htm
History of Ottawa
Canada’s capital is located in southern Ontario. It is the second largest city in Ontario. Originally Ottawa was called Odaawaa by the First Nations peoples. The Odawa people were an Algonquin tribe that lived in the Ottawa (or Odaawaa) valley. Early European settlers came to the Ottawa valley seeking land for their sovereigns. The region became a central hub of trade for fur and fish. The first white settlement is dated in 1800 when a group of new Englanders settled in order to start a farming community. Farming was not successful and timber soon became to commodity of choice.
A canal on the Rideau River was built in 1832 which brought more industry and trade opportunities to the Ottawa region. It was then named Bytown after the Colonel who supervised the completion of the canal, Colonel By. The Colonel set up military barracks on what is Parliament Hill today. In December if 1857 Queen Victoria was asked to pick a capital for Canada and she chose Ottawa. Today it is a city of over 1 million people and not only is the seat of government in Canada but also has a healthy tourism industry as well as a business district. It is located close to Montreal and Toronto which makes traveling to all three of these Canadian cities feasible within a few days.
By Melissa Montgomery