GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION  
Ottawa is the capital of Canada and lies on the banks of the majestic Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau Rivers, Ottawa is one of the most beautiful G8 capitals in the world. A thriving international technology and business center and world class tourism and convention destination. Ottawa is also rich in culture and heritage with its many national institutions, parklands, waterways and historic architecture.

Ottawa is about 411KM away from Toronto, and about 198KM from Montreal.
 

LANGUAGE 
English and French are the two official languages in Canada. However, you will find more than 200 languages are spoken in Canada. Most common ones are: German, Chinese, Russian, Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, Creoles, Bengali, Persian, Spanish, Protégées and Italian

DEMOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION  
Approximately a little over 870,000 people live in Ottawa. Ottawa accounts for approximately two-thirds of the population of the greater Ottawa-Gatineau area, which has a combined total population of 1,282,500.

RELIGION

Christianity with many different sects is practiced in Ottawa, most commonly Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, United Church, Christian Orthodox, Presbyterianism, Baptist, and Pentecostal…etc. Other religions practiced in Ottawa include Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism....etc. All religions are freely practiced in Ottawa with many temples, mosques and churches.

ELECTRICITY

Most common Voltage used in Ottawa is 120V at a frequency of 60 Hertz. Sockets are the North American style but adopters are widely available at any electrical shop.

CURRENCY

The unit of currency in Canada is the Canadian Dollar $.

SCHEDULES

• Pharmacies

       (Shoppers Drug Mart) open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some open until midnight, and some open 24 hours with the               exception of holidays.

• Shopping malls

      Malls generally open until 9 p.m. (everyday, except holidays)

• Coffee shops

      in the most parts of the city open until 11 p.m. to midnight. You might find some open even longer in parts of       downtown.Banks open 9 a.m. (some earlier) to 4:30 p.m. (some slightly later)

• Government offices (for the most part) open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Post Offices: Mon. - 9.30 a.m. – as late as 9 p.m. (some even later)

• Ottawa Tourism Guide Center 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday closed)

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Emergency number …...............................................911

General Non-Emergency city of Ottawa number …........311

TIME ZONES

Ottawa, Ontario does utilize Daylight Saving Time.

Ottawa is GMT/UTC - 5h during Standard Time

Ottawa is GMT/UTC - 4h during Daylight Saving Time

EQUIVALENT MEASURES

Ottawa uses the metric system, maximum Speed limit on the highway is 100KM/HTemperature is measured in Celsius

CLIMATE

Ottawa weather is of different seasons. The following chart is an approximation of what to expect through out the year in Ottawa. If you want to know more accurate and more detailed weather information please visit Environment Canada