Did you know that Ottawa is actually the capital of Canada? While this is common knowledge for a lot of people, others from around the world might be quick to guess that some of the more well-known locations in Canada like Montreal or Toronto might be the capital. Of course, this is not true as Ottawa is located in Ontario and it has a population of 999,837 people as of 2017.
Ottawa is a brilliant place and many people visit it on their summer vacations every year or in the winter for some snow. Here, we are going to tell you about some of the things that you might not know about Ottawa. This will include everything from the original name of the city to the record that it holds in terms of climate. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more about this.
The Airport Is Named After The Founding Fathers
The main airport in Ottawa is named Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. This is actually named after the founding fathers of Canada who were Sir George-Etienne Cartier and Sir John A. Macdonald. This makes this airport one of the most famous in the world and especially throughout Canada.
Ottawa International Airport is the capital airport of Canada and it is very busy throughout the year. This airport is home to many airlines that fly directly to and from many countries around the world. Airlines like Porter Airlines offer flights to Ottawa at a reasonable price making it more enticing for people to visit the capital. It is interesting to know that this airport has such an important name.
It Is The Seventh Coldest Capital
Ottawa is the country’s capital city, but it has got a name for itself around the world due to its climate. Did you know that Ottawa is actually known as the seventh coldest capital city in the entire world? Many people who live in this city have to deal with very cold conditions throughout the year due to the location and this can cause problems for tourists who want to come to enjoy the sights.
While it is officially the seventh coldest capital in the world, this year Ottawa took the top spot for a brief moment in January. Ottawa was, in fact, colder than Ulan Bator which is the capital of Mongolia for a period and took the top spot off them. The temperature dipped as low as -24C which is very cold for this area.
The Canadian Museum Of History Is The Most Visited
Have you ever been to the Canadian Museum of History? This museum is actually the most visited museum in all of Canada which is quite a triumph as there are a lot of popular museums around the country. The museum is recorded to have around 1.2 million visitors every single year which is a lot of people. Who knows – you could have been one of them!
There are many reasons why people might have visited this museum including the fact that it is located in the capital city. People are more likely to take a trip to the capital city in order to see why it has this honour and while they are there, they tend to visit some of the popular tourist attractions and museums.
There Was A Colony Of Cats At Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill is a popular place in Ottawa and many people like to visit it to see what goes on there. However, there is something interesting about the hill itself and those that have lived there throughout the years. As early as the 1930s, there was a plaque of rats and mice that were causing problems for those who were in the Centre Block which was brand new at the time.
To deal with this issue, a colony of cats was brought in and they were built a structure to live in. These cats ended up living there for many years and they were fed by guards who were also there to clean up after them. The cat colony at Parliament Hill was closed down in 2013 but it is interesting to know that they are a part of history in this famous location for so long.
The Rideau Canal Is The Largest Skating Rink
The Rideau Canal in Ottawa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was first declared this way in 2007. This canal is also the world’s largest skating rink which is quite impressive considering the lakes around the world that double up as skating rinks when the weather gets a little colder.
Many people visit this skating rink in the winter and enjoy putting their skates on and having fun with their friends. If you have ever been to the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, then you can enjoy the fact that you have skated on the world’s largest skating rink.
Ottawa Is Full Of Scientists
Did you know that Ottawa actually has more engineers, PhDs and scientists per capita than in all of the other cities in Canada? This is quite interesting, and it is a fact that many people don’t know about. On top of this, you will find that Ottawa has one of the lowest unemployment rates throughout the country which makes sense considering the number of people qualified in the sciences.
Many of these scientists have gone on to do great things for the city and it is hoped that Ottawa will be able to keep this record up for a long time. If you are interested in moving somewhere to be around other intellectual scientists, then Ottawa might just be the place for you.
It Hasn’t Always Been Called Ottawa
Our last fact about Ottawa might shock you a little if you don’t know much about the history of this capital city. Ottawa was not always named this way when it was first discovered. The engineer of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa Lieutenant Colonel John By had the city named after him and it became known as Bytown.
Of course, then in 1855, Queen Victoria decided to rename the city and it became known as Ottawa. She then went on to declare this newly named city the capital of Canada in 1857. This is an interesting piece of history that you might not have heard of before.
Final Thoughts
Many people think that they know a lot about Ottawa but there are always things that can be uncovered about the history of a city, especially one that has been the capital of a Canada for many years. It is interesting to know that this city has not always been named how it is now and that the airline is named after the founding fathers.
If you are interested in visiting this famous city, we suggest that you take a trip this year. There are always things going on and you’ll be sure to have a great time when you’re there. Make sure to visit the world’s largest skating rink and the most visited museum in all of Canada while you are there. You won’t want to miss out on being a part of history!
