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Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and the country’s fourth-largest city, with a population of approximately 1,017,449 inhabitants. Located in eastern Ontario along the Ottawa River, the city sits at the border between the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Ottawa was selected as Canada’s capital in 1857 by Queen Victoria, largely due to its strategic location between English- and French-speaking regions.
The city is the political center of Canada and hosts key national institutions, including Parliament Hill, the Supreme Court of Canada, and numerous federal departments. Ottawa is also a major cultural hub, home to renowned institutions such as the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Nature, which showcase the country’s artistic and natural heritage.
Ottawa combines a strong governmental presence with extensive green spaces, canals, and rivers, notably the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Notable people born in Ottawa include former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, musician Alanis Morissette, and acclaimed author Margaret Atwood.
Ottawa in Canada
75.7° W
Ottawa Population Evolution
The population of Ottawa in 2026 is estimated to 1,100,660 inhabitants. This estimate is taken from our extrapolation of available data and not an official estimate.
Population Summary
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 101,102 | |
| 1951 | 246,298 | +143.6% |
| 1976 | 520,533 | +111.3% |
| 1996 | 721,136 | +38.5% |
| 2021 | 1,017,449 | +41.1% |
Interactive Map of Ottawa
What to see in Ottawa
National Gallery of Canada
Carleton University
Canadian Museum of Nature
Parliament Hill
Canadian War Museum
National War Memorial
Famous People Born in Ottawa
Margaret Atwood
writerJustin Trudeau
actorAlanis Morissette
singerCanadian-American singer
Kira Isabella
singersinger
Sister Cities of Ottawa
Sister cities, also known as twin cities, are formal partnerships between cities in different countries to promote cultural and commercial ties.
This list is based on publicly available structured data and may differ slightly from official municipal publications.
| City | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 🇨🇳 People's Republic of China | 21,893,095 |
| Catania | 🇮🇹 Italy | 311,584 |
Books about Ottawa
Ottawa Then and Now: A photographic guide to the hidden history, stories and architecture of the Canadian capital
A visually rich exploration of Ottawa’s historic evolution with archival images paired with contemporary photography to highlight the city’s landmarks and heritage.
View Book
Ottawa, Canada: Including its History, the Canadian War Museum, the National Gallery of Canada, the St.Patrick's Basilica, the Confederation Park, and More
A comprehensive travel and cultural guide that covers Ottawa’s major attractions, museums, and historical sites for visitors.
View Book