Facts for Kids

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada! 🇨🇦 It is located in the province of Ontario and is known for its beautiful parks and historic buildings. With over 1 million people living there, Ottawa is one of the largest cities in Canada! The city is famous for its friendly atmosphere and diverse cultures. One of the best things about Ottawa is that it often has fun festivals, like Winterlude, where you can go ice skating on the Rideau Canal ❄️. Ottawa is also home to many important government buildings, making it a busy place for decision-making in Canada.

Ottawa has many ways for people to get around! 🚍

You can ride buses or the O-Train to travel through the city. There are bike paths too, so many people enjoy cycling, especially in the summertime! 🚴

‍♂️ Walking is also a nice way to explore neighborhoods and parks. Ottawa has a major airport, the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport ✈️, which connects people to other parts of Canada and the world. Public transportation is great for students, as they often travel for school trips or weekend adventures with their families!

Ottawa is a vibrant city filled with cultural attractions! 🎨

You can visit the National Gallery of Canada to see amazing art from famous Canadian artists. The city also holds lots of festivals like Canada Day on July 1st, celebrating our country’s birthday! 🎉

The Ottawa International Jazz Festival brings music to life every summer! The city is home to diverse cultural communities, including festivals that celebrate different backgrounds like Chinese New Year and Diwali. With so many museums, theaters, and galleries, Ottawa shines as a place where art and culture come together for everyone!

Ottawa was founded in 1826. It started as a lumber town, where people cut down trees to make wood for building. The city grew quickly because of its location near the Ottawa River, which helped transport goods! In 1857, Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald chose Ottawa to be the capital of Canada. 🏛

️ It became an important political and cultural center. The city has many historic sites that tell the story of Canada, like the Parliament Buildings that were built in the late 1800s. Ottawa is proud of its history and celebrates it every year with events.

Ottawa is located in eastern Ontario, right next to the Ottawa River. 🌊

The city is surrounded by beautiful green spaces, parks, and forests. Its geography has many trails, perfect for hiking and biking! Ottawa experiences all four seasons. ❄

️☀️ In the winter, it gets very cold with lots of snow, while summers can be warm and sunny. The average temperature in July is about 26°C (79°F) while in January it can drop to -10°C (14°F). This variety in weather means you can enjoy lots of activities all year round, like skating in winter and picnics in summer!

Ottawa loves sports! 🏒

The city is home to professional teams like the Ottawa Senators, who play ice hockey in the NHL. Kids can also play sports like soccer, basketball, and baseball in local parks. Many families enjoy going to Ottawa Champions baseball games in the summer! 🥳

Additionally, the city has skate parks, swimming pools, and ice rinks where kids can have fun and stay active! Annual events such as the Ottawa Race Weekend, where people run for charity, bring the community together and encourage everyone to participate in sports and fitness!

Ottawa has a strong economy and lots of job opportunities! 💼

The government is one of the biggest employers in the city, with many people working in different departments. High-tech companies have also set up in Ottawa, creating new jobs in technology! Many residents work in education, health care, and tourism too. The price of goods and services in Ottawa is similar to other major Canadian cities. Ottawa also has a vibrant marketplace for local crafts and products, where kids can learn about entrepreneurship when they see local businesses at fairs!

Ottawa is super diverse! 🌎

People from many cultural backgrounds live in the city, including Indigenous peoples, French, and English communities. This diversity makes Ottawa a rich and interesting place! There are neighborhoods that celebrate different cultures through festivals, foods, and events. Community centers offer programs for families to learn and share different cultures. Ottawa also encourages inclusion and respect, celebrating events like National Indigenous Peoples Day! 💖

Kids can make friends from all over and learn about traditions, languages, and ways of life that make everyone unique!

Ottawa is the political heart of Canada, which means it is where important decisions are made! The federal government meets in a cool building called Parliament Hill 🏛️, where you can see the big clock tower, called the Peace Tower. Here, representatives from different areas of Canada, called MPs, discuss laws. Ottawa is also the home of the Prime Minister, currently Justin Trudeau (as of October 2023). Political events, like elections, happen here, making it a lively place during these times! Kids can even visit Parliament to learn about how the government works through educational programs.

Ottawa is full of famous landmarks and attractions! 🏰

One of the most visited places is Parliament Hill, where you can see the impressive buildings and the Changing of the Guard ceremony. The Rideau Canal is another popular spot, especially in winter when it becomes the world’s largest skating rink! ❄

️ You can also explore the Canadian Museum of History, which has fascinating exhibits about Canada’s past. Other attractions include the ByWard Market, where you can find fresh vegetables and delicious food, and the National War Memorial, which honors Canada’s veterans. 🏅

Ottawa is home to many schools and universities where kids and adults can learn! 📚

The city has several public schools that teach young students from kindergarten to high school. For older students, there are universities like the University of Ottawa and Carleton University that offer many programs. In addition, the city has famous institutions like the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Canadian War Museum, where students can learn about Canadian history and science through fun exhibits! Many schools even organize field trips to these amazing places, making learning super exciting!