Definition: Ottawa, Ontario is the capital city of Canada. Ottawa is located on the Ottawa River in eastern Ontario, just across the river from the province of Quebec.
Originally called Bytown after Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers who supervised the building of the Rideau Canal, the name was changed to Ottawa in 1855 with its incorporation as a city. The name Ottawa comes from the Algonquin tribe Odawa, meaning "traders." At Canadian Confederation in 1867 Ottawa became the capital city of the Dominion of Canada.
Originally called Bytown after Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers who supervised the building of the Rideau Canal, the name was changed to Ottawa in 1855 with its incorporation as a city. The name Ottawa comes from the Algonquin tribe Odawa, meaning "traders." At Canadian Confederation in 1867 Ottawa became the capital city of the Dominion of Canada.
