I moved to Ottawa four years ago to pursue an employment opportunity that sadly disappeared shortly after my arrival. I've stayed because I love the place.
Compared to some capital cities, Ottawa is small, though the greater metropolitan area that includes the cities of Nepean, Gloucester, Kanata and Orleans helps push the population over 1,000,000. On January 1, 2001 these cities will be amalgamated into one entity. Even with amalgamation, we will be smaller than other major world capitals like Washington, London, Paris and Toyko.
This doesn't make our city a hick town by any means! Theatre thrives here in both our official languages, French and English. There are resident opera and musical theatre companies, and major touring productions are always coming to the National Arts Centre. Almost every weekend from the beginning of May to the end of October, a major festival brings thousands of visitors to our city - from Tulips to the Blues to one of the largest Hot Air Balloon Festivals in the world.
These people can give you the political low down - The City of Ottawa
While these sites can tell you about the fun stuff: The Ottawa Kiosk; The Region of Ottawa
One of the main attractions of this city is the proximity to the great outdoors. In Toronto, where I lived for many years, one must drive about an hour to get out to the unspoiled wilderness. If you live in downtown Ottawa, you're less than 20 minutes away from Gatineau Park, a nature preserve run by the National Capital Commission.
If you ever visit Canada [for those of you from outside this fair land], do try to visit Ottawa in addition to our other major cities, Toronto and Montreal. I promise you won't be disappointed!
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