Editing Ottawa (section)

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Ottawa}}

=== Districts and neighbourhoods ===
{{further|List of neighbourhoods in Ottawa}}
The present-day city of Ottawa consists of the historic main [[urban area]], as well as other urban, suburban and [[rural]] areas within the city's post-amalgamation limits.<ref>{{Cite web |last=City of Ottawa |title=Urban Sub-Areas of Ottawa |url=https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/documents/urban-subareas-en.pdf |access-date=17 July 2022 |archive-date=1 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701200248/https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/documents/urban-subareas-en.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Old Ottawa ====
Old Ottawa refers to the former pre-amalgamation city, as well as the former city of [[Vanier, Ontario|Vanier]], a densely populated, historically francophone, working class enclave, and the former [[village]] of [[Rockcliffe Park, Ontario|Rockcliffe Park]], a wealthy residential neighbourhood adjacent to the Prime Minister's official residence at 24 Sussex and the Governor General's residence.<ref name="hoods">{{cite web |title=Ottawa Neighbourhoods |url=http://www.ottawarealestate.ca/neighbourhoods.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084643/http://www.ottawarealestate.ca/neighbourhoods.php |archive-date=19 August 2014 |access-date=15 August 2014 |publisher=Ottawa Real Estate.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Heart of Orléans |url=https://ottawatourism.ca/en/about-ottawa/neighbourhoods/heart-orleans |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=Ottawa Tourism |language=en |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717215621/https://ottawatourism.ca/en/about-ottawa/neighbourhoods/heart-orleans |url-status=live}}</ref> The old city includes the [[Downtown Ottawa|downtown core]] and older neighbourhoods to the east, west, and south. These vibrant neighbourhoods include the bustling commercial and cultural areas of Old Ottawa South,
[[Centretown]], [[Lower Town]], and [[Sandy Hill, Ottawa|Sandy Hill]], the affluent tree-lined neighbourhoods of [[The Glebe]], [[Westboro, Ottawa|Westboro]], and [[New Edinburgh]], and the historically [[Blue-collar worker|blue-collar]] communities of [[Hintonburg]], [[Mechanicsville, Ottawa|Mechanicsville]], [[Carlington]], and [[LeBreton Flats]], with a mixture of housing types, artist lofts, and industrial uses. The old city also includes the [[ethnic enclave]]s of [[Chinatown, Ottawa|Chinatown]] and [[Little Italy, Ottawa|Little Italy]].

==== Suburbs and outlying communities ====
[[File:Newottawamap.png|thumb|Map of Ottawa showing urban areas and names of historical communities]]
Modern Ottawa is made up of eleven historic townships, ten of which are from the former [[Carleton County, Ontario|Carleton County]] and one from the former [[Russell County, Ontario|Russell County]].<ref>{{cite web |year=2002 |title=Ottawa Rural Communities |url=http://www.ruralcouncil.ca/ORC/background.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113220822/http://www.ruralcouncil.ca/ORC/background.htm |archive-date=13 November 2011 |access-date=2 June 2011 |publisher=The Rural Council of Ottawa-Carleton}}</ref> Ottawa city limits are bounded on the east by the [[Prescott and Russell United Counties, Ontario|United Counties of Prescott and Russell]]; by [[Renfrew County, Ontario|Renfrew County]] and [[Lanark County, Ontario|Lanark County]] in the west; on the south by the [[Leeds and Grenville United Counties|United Counties of Leeds and Grenville]] and the [[Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry United Counties, Ontario|United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry]]; and on the north by the [[Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais Regional County Municipality, Quebec|Regional County Municipality of Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais]] and the City of Gatineau.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official road map of Ontario |url=http://www.ontario.ca/page/official-road-map-ontario |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=ontario.ca |language=en |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816192401/https://www.ontario.ca/page/official-road-map-ontario |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ministère des Transports |title=Québec Official Road Map |url=https://www.quebec511.info/en/carte_routiere/index.asp |access-date=17 July 2022 |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717212504/https://www.quebec511.info/en/carte_routiere/index.asp |url-status=live}}</ref>

The main suburban areas extend a considerable distance to the east, west and south of the inner-city.<ref name="gmap">{{cite web |year=2011 |title=Neighborhoods of Ottawa |url=https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115838170672838983402.00043dad54fc8b7e8a93c |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127075543/http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115838170672838983402.00043dad54fc8b7e8a93c |archive-date=27 November 2011 |access-date=2 June 2011 |publisher=Google Maps}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=City of Ottawa |title=Zoning Schedule A |url=https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/schedule5_zbl_en.pdf |publication-date=2008 |access-date=25 July 2022 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001215829/https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/schedule5_zbl_en.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> These areas also include the former cities of Cumberland, Gloucester (with the large suburban district of [[Orleans, Ontario|Orleans]] outside the [[Ottawa Greenbelt|greenbelt]] split between them), [[Kanata, Ontario|Kanata]], and Nepean.<ref>{{Cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=29 January 2018 |title=Orléans {{!}} Ottawa Lives Here |url=https://www.ottawaliveshere.com/orleans/ |access-date=22 October 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=22 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022194548/https://www.ottawaliveshere.com/orleans/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The towns of [[Stittsville, Ontario|Stittsville]] and [[Richmond, Ontario|Richmond]] within the former [[Goulbourn Township, Ontario|Goulbourn Township]] are to the southwest.<ref name="hoods" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kanata Central |url=https://ottawatourism.ca/en/about-ottawa/neighbourhoods/kanata-central |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=Ottawa Tourism |language=en |archive-date=20 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520172223/https://ottawatourism.ca/en/about-ottawa/neighbourhoods/kanata-central |url-status=live}}</ref> Nepean as a suburb also includes [[Barrhaven, Ontario|Barrhaven]].<ref name="hoods" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nepean {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/nepean |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717215620/https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/nepean |url-status=live}}</ref> The communities of [[Manotick, Ontario|Manotick]] and [[Riverside South, Ottawa|Riverside South]] are on the other side of the Rideau River, and [[Greely, Ontario|Greely]], southeast of Riverside South.<ref name="hoods" />

A number of rural communities (villages and [[hamlet (place)|hamlets]]) are also part of the City of Ottawa.<ref name="gmap" /> Some of these communities are [[Burritts Rapids, Ontario|Burritts Rapids]]; [[Ashton, Ontario|Ashton]]; [[Fallowfield, Ontario|Fallowfield]]; [[Kars, Ontario|Kars]]; [[Fitzroy Harbour, Ontario|Fitzroy Harbour]]; [[Munster, Ontario|Munster]]; [[Carp, Ontario|Carp]]; [[North Gower, Ontario|North Gower]]; [[Metcalfe, Ontario|Metcalfe]]; [[Constance Bay, Ontario|Constance Bay]] and [[Osgoode, Ontario|Osgoode]].<ref name="hoods" /> Several [[town]]s are within the federally defined National Capital Region but outside of Ottawa's municipal boundaries;<ref name="gmap" /> these include communities of [[Almonte, Ontario|Almonte]], [[Carleton Place, Ontario|Carleton Place]], [[Embrun, Ontario|Embrun]], [[Kemptville, Ontario|Kemptville]], [[Rockland, Ontario|Rockland]], and [[Russell, Ontario (community)|Russell]].<ref name="hoods" />
{{wide image|OttawaPanorama2017.jpg|1500px|align-cap=center|Ottawa above the [[Ottawa River]] in 2017, left to right{{mdash}} [[Byward Market]]{{·}} [[Fairmont Château Laurier]]{{·}}[[National Gallery of Canada]]{{·}} [[Parliament Hill]] with [[Library of Parliament]] and [[Peace Tower]]{{·}}[[Alexandra Bridge]]{{·}} [[Downtown Ottawa]] towers{{·}}[[Supreme Court of Canada]]}}

=== Architecture ===
{{Main|Architecture of Ottawa}}
[[File:Connaught Building (14579938218).jpg|thumb|right|Completed in 1913, the [[Connaught Building]] was constructed in a Gothic Revival style.]]
Influenced by government structures, much of the city's architecture tends to be formal and [[Functionalism (architecture)|functional]]; the city is also marked by [[Romanticism|Romantic]] and [[Picturesque]] styles of architecture such as the Parliament Buildings' gothic revival architecture.<ref name="RickettsMaitland2004">{{cite book |author1=Shannon Ricketts |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-f2MYzP6IWAC&pg=PA73 |title=A guide to Canadian architectural styles |author2=Leslie Maitland |author3=Jacqueline Hucker |publisher=University of Toronto Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-55111-546-7 |page=73 |access-date=15 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502124236/https://books.google.com/books?id=-f2MYzP6IWAC&pg=PA73 |archive-date=2 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Ottawa's domestic architecture contains single-family homes, but also includes smaller numbers of [[semi-detached]] houses, [[rowhouse]]s, and [[apartment building]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Chris |date=21 June 2016 |title=Ottawa's Apartments, 1955 |url=https://www.historynerd.ca/2016/06/21/ottawas-apartments-1955/ |access-date=25 July 2022 |website=historynerd.ca |language=en-CA |archive-date=25 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725022940/https://www.historynerd.ca/2016/06/21/ottawas-apartments-1955/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Many domestic buildings in Centretown are clad in red brick, with trim in wood, stone, or metal; variations are common, depending on the cultural heritage of the neighbourhoods and the time they were built.<ref>{{Cite web |last=City of Ottawa |date=2019 |title=Heritage Study for 58 Florence Street |url=http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Image%20Referencing_Zoning%20Bylaw%20Amendment%20Application_Image%20Reference_2019-08-21%20-%20Cultural%20Heritage%20Impact%20Statement%20-%20D02-02-19-0089.PDF |page=14 |access-date=25 July 2022 |archive-date=26 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926165644/http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Image%20Referencing_Zoning%20Bylaw%20Amendment%20Application_Image%20Reference_2019-08-21%20-%20Cultural%20Heritage%20Impact%20Statement%20-%20D02-02-19-0089.PDF |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[skyline]] has been controlled by building height restrictions originally implemented to keep Parliament Hill and the Peace Tower at {{cvt|92.2|m}} visible from most parts of the city.{{sfn|Keshen|St-Onge|2001|p=455}} Today, [[List of tallest buildings in Ottawa-Gatineau|several buildings are slightly taller]] than the Peace Tower, with the tallest being the [[Claridge Icon]] at {{convert|143|m|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reaching for the stars: Claridge eyes plan to build 60-storey residential tower in Little Italy |url=https://www.obj.ca/article/real-estate/residential/reaching-stars-claridge-eyes-plan-build-60-storey-residential-tower |access-date=25 July 2022 |website=Ottawa Business Journal |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725022939/https://www.obj.ca/article/real-estate/residential/reaching-stars-claridge-eyes-plan-build-60-storey-residential-tower |url-status=dead}}</ref> Many federal buildings in the National Capital Region are managed by [[Public Works and Government Services Canada|Public Works Canada]], which leads to [[Historic preservation|heritage conservation]] in its renovations and management of buildings, such as the renovation of the [[Senate of Canada Building|Senate Building]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Public Works and Government Services Canada |date=8 August 2014 |title=NPMS Procedure—Managing Projects for Heritage Properties - Specialized Areas - NPMS - Real Property - PSPC |url=https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/biens-property/sngp-npms/bi-rp/domaines-areas/pgpbp-pmphp-eng.html |access-date=25 July 2022 |website=www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171731/https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/biens-property/sngp-npms/bi-rp/domaines-areas/pgpbp-pmphp-eng.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Public Services and Procurement Canada |date=31 July 2015 |title=Restoring and modernizing the Senate of Canada Building - Canada.ca |url=https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/citeparlementaire-parliamentaryprecinct/rehabilitation/conference-eng.html |access-date=25 July 2022 |website=www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca |archive-date=12 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512043412/https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/citeparlementaire-parliamentaryprecinct/rehabilitation/conference-eng.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the federal land in the region is managed by the National Capital Commission; its control of much undeveloped land and appropriations powers gives the NCC a great deal of influence over the city's development.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 October 2008 |title=Mandate and Mission |url=http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/ncc_web_content_page.asp?cid=16302-22554-22561&lang=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509190424/http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/ncc_web_content_page.asp?cid=16302-22554-22561&lang=1 |archive-date=9 May 2011 |access-date=8 June 2011 |publisher=The National Capital Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Adam: The NCC and LeBreton Flats — all talk, no action? |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/adam-the-ncc-and-lebreton-flats-all-talk-no-action |access-date=25 July 2022 |website=ottawacitizen |language=en-CA |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128001012/https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/adam-the-ncc-and-lebreton-flats-all-talk-no-action |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Public Services and Procurement Canada |date=17 July 2020 |title=National Capital Commission: Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs—February 27, 2020 - PSPC |url=https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/trans/documentinfo-briefingmaterial/proc/2020_02_27/p17-eng.html |access-date=25 July 2022 |website=www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca |archive-date=25 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725022940/https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/trans/documentinfo-briefingmaterial/proc/2020_02_27/p17-eng.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
Ottawa has a [[humid continental climate|warm-summer humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfb'', [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]] ''Dcbo/Dcbc'')<ref>{{Cite web |last=Secretariat |first=Treasury Board of Canada |title=Climatic Regions - Open Government Portal |url=https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/09ffaeb5-ec8f-5bb5-bdcb-3436ccf26f58 |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=open.canada.ca |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031181102/https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/09ffaeb5-ec8f-5bb5-bdcb-3436ccf26f58 |url-status=live}}</ref> with four distinct seasons and is between Zones 5a and 5b on the Canadian Plant Hardiness Scale.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planthardiness.gc.ca/?lang=en&m=24&speciesid=1000000&phz=phz1981-2010&bc=1 |title=phz1981-2010 |website=Canada's Plant Hardiness Site |publisher=Natural Resources Canada |access-date=14 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807130053/http://planthardiness.gc.ca/?lang=en&m=24&speciesid=1000000&phz=phz1981-2010&bc=1 |archive-date=7 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The average July maximum temperature is {{cvt|26.7|C|0}}. The average January minimum temperature is {{cvt|−14.0|C|1}}.<ref name="Ottawa CDA"/> The highest temperature ever recorded in Ottawa was {{cvt|37.8|C|0}} on 4 July 1913, 1 August 1917 and 11 August 1944.<ref name="CCN" /><ref name="Ottawa CDA" />

Summers are generally warm and humid in Ottawa. On average, there are 13.4 days across the three summer months of June, July and August that have temperatures exceeding {{cvt|30|C|0}}.<ref name="Ottawa CDA" /> Periods of hotter weather are normally accompanied by high humidity levels.<ref name="Ottawa CDA" />

Snow and ice are dominant during the winter season. On average, almost every day of January, February and March has more than 5&nbsp;cm of snowpack (29, 28, and 23 days, respectively), and on average, approximately 13 days a year see 5&nbsp;cm or more of snowfall, with 5 of those having over 10&nbsp;cm.<ref name="Ottawa CDA" />

An average of 15 days of the year experience temperatures below {{cvt|-20|C|0}}.<ref name="Ottawa CDA" /> Spring and fall are variable, prone to extreme changes in temperature and conditions. The month of May, for example, on average gets a day below freezing at night every other year, conversely a day surpassing 30&nbsp;°C <ref name="Ottawa CDA" />

Annual rainfall averages around 772mm per year, total precipitation 938mm<ref name="Ottawa CDA" /> spread throughout the year, with some variation. May through November are the months more likely to see significant precipitation events, with each month having an average of 3 days of over 10&nbsp;mm of precipitation, with December through April seeing on average 1–2 days. May through November have, on average, over 80&nbsp;mm of rainfall per month, with peaks of approximately 90&nbsp;mm in June and July. December through April have less than 80&nbsp;mm, with February being the driest month at an average of 5&nbsp;cm of precipitation.<ref name="Ottawa CDA" />

Ottawa experiences about 2,080 hours of average sunshine annually (45% of possible).<ref name="Ottawa CDA1981"/> Predominate wind direction in Ottawa is from the [[Westerlies|West]], Easterly air flow is more common during periods of wet weather as well as localized river/lake-effect [[Convection cell|cells]] on summer afternoons.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last1=Klock |first1=Ross |last2=Simard |first2=Gilles |last3=Mullock |first3=John |title=The Weather of Ontario and Quebec: Graphic Area Forecast 33 |url=https://www.navcanada.ca/en/lawm-ontario-quebec-en.pdf |publisher=Nav Canada |pages=92–94, 74–75 |access-date=17 July 2022 |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717204139/https://www.navcanada.ca/en/lawm-ontario-quebec-en.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> Windspeed is on average higher during the winter, with northerly winds predominating during cold waves.<ref name="CCN" /><ref name=":8" />{{Weather box
|collapsed = yes
|location = Ottawa ([[Central Experimental Farm]]), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1872–present{{efn|Extreme high and low temperatures in the table below were recorded at Ottawa from March 1872 to October 1889 and at [[Central Experimental Farm|Ottawa CDA]] from November 1889 to present.}}<ref name=extremesmetadata>
{{cite web |url= https://api.weather.gc.ca/collections/ltce-stations/items?f=csv&limit=30000&ELEMENT_NAME_E=TEMPERATURE |title= Technical Information and Metadata |work= Daily climate records (LTCE) |publisher= Environment Canada |access-date= October 15, 2024}}</ref>
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan maximum humidex = 12.9
|Feb maximum humidex = 12.0
|Mar maximum humidex = 28.4
|Apr maximum humidex = 35.3
|May maximum humidex = 39.7
|Jun maximum humidex = 44.1
|Jul maximum humidex = 45.7
|Aug maximum humidex = 49.9
|Sep maximum humidex = 41.6
|Oct maximum humidex = 36.1
|Nov maximum humidex = 24.3
|Dec maximum humidex = 18.3
|year maximum humidex = 49.9
|Jan record high C = 15.6
|Feb record high C = 15.1
|Mar record high C = 26.5
|Apr record high C = 31.2
|May record high C = 35.2
|Jun record high C = 36.7
|Jul record high C = 37.8
|Aug record high C = 37.8
|Sep record high C = 36.7
|Oct record high C = 30.3
|Nov record high C = 23.3
|Dec record high C = 17.0
|year record high C = 37.8
|Jan high C = -5.2
|Feb high C = -3.3
|Mar high C = 2.5
|Apr high C = 11.2
|May high C = 19.4
|Jun high C = 24.2
|Jul high C = 26.7
|Aug high C = 25.6
|Sep high C = 21.1
|Oct high C = 13.3
|Nov high C = 5.8
|Dec high C = -1.5
|year high C = 11.7
|Jan mean C = −9.6
|Feb mean C = −8.1
|Mar mean C = −2.2
|Apr mean C = 6.2
|May mean C = 13.8
|Jun mean C = 18.8
|Jul mean C = 21.3
|Aug mean C = 20.1
|Sep mean C = 15.6
|Oct mean C = 8.8
|Nov mean C = 2.0
|Dec mean C = -5.1
|year mean C = 6.8
|Jan low C = -14.0
|Feb low C = -12.9
|Mar low C = -6.9
|Apr low C = 1.1
|May low C = 8.0
|Jun low C = 13.3
|Jul low C = 15.8
|Aug low C = 14.6
|Sep low C = 10.1
|Oct low C = 4.1
|Nov low C = -1.8
|Dec low C = -8.7
|year low C = 1.9
|Jan record low C = -37.8
|Feb record low C = -38.3
|Mar record low C = -36.7
|Apr record low C = -20.6
|May record low C = -7.2
|Jun record low C = 0.0
|Jul record low C = 3.3
|Aug record low C = 1.1
|Sep record low C = -4.4
|Oct record low C = -12.8
|Nov record low C = -30.6
|Dec record low C = -38.9
|year record low C = -38.9
|Jan chill = -40.6
|Feb chill = -42.8
|Mar chill = -40.1
|Apr chill = -20.8
|May chill = -8.1
|Jun chill = 0.0
|Jul chill = 0.0
|Aug chill = 0.0
|Sep chill = -1.0
|Oct chill = -9.6
|Nov chill = -25.6
|Dec chill = -41.3
|year chill = -42.8
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 65.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 52.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 61.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 81.3
|May precipitation mm = 80.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 95.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 92.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 87.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 87.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 90.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 72.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 73.6
|year precipitation mm = 938.1
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 27.0
|Feb rain mm = 17.0
|Mar rain mm = 32.5
|Apr rain mm = 72.2
|May rain mm = 80.0
|Jun rain mm = 95.1
|Jul rain mm = 92.3
|Aug rain mm = 87.4
|Sep rain mm = 87.0
|Oct rain mm = 88.6
|Nov rain mm = 57.1
|Dec rain mm = 35.3
|year rain mm = 771.5
|snow colour = green
|Jan snow cm = 44.5
|Feb snow cm = 41.0
|Mar snow cm = 30.9
|Apr snow cm = 7.5
|May snow cm = 0.0
|Jun snow cm = 0.0
|Jul snow cm = 0.0
|Aug snow cm = 0.0
|Sep snow cm = 0.0
|Oct snow cm = 1.7
|Nov snow cm = 16.1
|Dec snow cm = 42.7
|year snow cm = 184.5
|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 15.2
|Feb precipitation days = 12.0
|Mar precipitation days = 11.3
|Apr precipitation days = 12.5
|May precipitation days = 13.5
|Jun precipitation days = 12.9
|Jul precipitation days = 12.2
|Aug precipitation days = 11.5
|Sep precipitation days = 11.9
|Oct precipitation days = 14.5
|Nov precipitation days = 13.9
|Dec precipitation days = 15.6
|year precipitation days = 157.0
|unit rain days = 0.2 mm
|Jan rain days = 4.5
|Feb rain days = 3.1
|Mar rain days = 5.6
|Apr rain days = 11.1
|May rain days = 13.5
|Jun rain days = 12.9
|Jul rain days = 12.2
|Aug rain days = 11.5
|Sep rain days = 11.9
|Oct rain days = 14.3
|Nov rain days = 10.5
|Dec rain days = 6.3
|year rain days = 117.4
|unit snow days = 0.2 cm
|Jan snow days = 13.0
|Feb snow days = 10.1
|Mar snow days = 7.1
|Apr snow days = 2.3
|May snow days = 0.07
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.38
|Nov snow days = 4.6
|Dec snow days = 11.4
|year snow days = 48.9
|time day = 15:00 LST
|Jan humidity = 70.6
|Feb humidity = 63.5
|Mar humidity = 57.6
|Apr humidity = 51.2
|May humidity = 51.0
|Jun humidity = 55.1
|Jul humidity = 54.3
|Aug humidity = 55.7
|Sep humidity = 58.1
|Oct humidity = 63.9
|Nov humidity = 68.1
|Dec humidity = 75.5
|year humidity = 60.4
|Jan snow depth cm = 17
|Feb snow depth cm = 25
|Mar snow depth cm = 20
|Apr snow depth cm = 2
|May snow depth cm = 0
|Jun snow depth cm = 0
|Jul snow depth cm = 0
|Aug snow depth cm = 0
|Sep snow depth cm = 0
|Oct snow depth cm = 0
|Nov snow depth cm = 1
|Dec snow depth cm = 8
|year snow depth cm = 6
|Jan sun = 99.3
|Feb sun = 131.3
|Mar sun = 167.1
|Apr sun = 189.8
|May sun = 229.8
|Jun sun = 254.2
|Jul sun = 279.0
|Aug sun = 249.3
|Sep sun = 177.6
|Oct sun = 139.4
|Nov sun = 84.3
|Dec sun = 82.6
|year sun = 2083.7
|Jan percentsun = 35.0
|Feb percentsun = 44.9
|Mar percentsun = 45.3
|Apr percentsun = 46.9
|May percentsun = 49.9
|Jun percentsun = 54.3
|Jul percentsun = 58.9
|Aug percentsun = 57.1
|Sep percentsun = 47.1
|Oct percentsun = 41.0
|Nov percentsun = 29.4
|Dec percentsun = 30.3
|year percentsun = 45.0
| source 1 = [[Environment and Climate Change Canada]] (sun 1981–2010)<ref name="Ottawa CDA">{{cite web |publisher=Environment Canada |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=ON&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=450000000&dispBack=0 |title=Ottawa CDA |work=Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 |date=25 September 2013 |access-date=6 April 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ottawa CDA1981">{{cite web |publisher=Environment Canada |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=ON&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=4333&dispBack=0 |title=Ottawa CDA |work=Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 |date=25 September 2013 |access-date=6 April 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=OttawaCDAextremes>
{{cite web
| url = https://dd.weather.gc.ca/climate/ltce/daily/temperature/ON/climate_LTCE_Temperature-Records_ON_VSON118.csv
| title = Long Term Climate Extremes for Ottawa Kanata-Orleans (Virtual Station ID: VSON118)
| work = Daily climate records (LTCE)
| publisher = Environment Canada
| access-date = April 6, 2025}}</ref>

| date = 22 September 2015
}}
{{Weather box
| collapsed = yes
| location = [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport|Ottawa International Airport]], 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1938–present<ref name=extremesmetadata/>
| metric first = Y
| single line = Y
| Jan maximum humidex = 13.9
| Feb maximum humidex = 15.1
| Mar maximum humidex = 30.0
| Apr maximum humidex = 35.1
| May maximum humidex = 41.8
| Jun maximum humidex = 44.0
| Jul maximum humidex = 47.2
| Aug maximum humidex = 47.0
| Sep maximum humidex = 42.5
| Oct maximum humidex = 33.9
| Nov maximum humidex = 26.1
| Dec maximum humidex = 18.4
| year maximum humidex = 47.2
| Jan record high C = 12.9
| Feb record high C = 15.7
| Mar record high C = 27.4
| Apr record high C = 31.1
| May record high C = 35.8
| Jun record high C = 36.1
| Jul record high C = 36.9
| Aug record high C = 37.8
| Sep record high C = 35.1
| Oct record high C = 30.9
| Nov record high C = 23.9
| Dec record high C = 17.9
| year record high C = 37.8
| Jan high C = -5.5
| Feb high C = -3.6
| Mar high C = 2.4
| Apr high C = 11.3
| May high C = 19.6
| Jun high C = 24.4
| Jul high C = 27.0
| Aug high C = 25.8
| Sep high C = 21.0
| Oct high C = 13.0
| Nov high C = 5.8
| Dec high C = -1.9
| year high C = 11.6
| Jan mean C = -10.0
| Feb mean C = −8.5
| Mar mean C = −2.4
| Apr mean C = 5.9
| May mean C = 13.6
| Jun mean C = 18.7
| Jul mean C = 21.2
| Aug mean C = 20.1
| Sep mean C = 15.3
| Oct mean C = 8.2
| Nov mean C = 1.7
| Dec mean C = -5.8
| year mean C = 6.5
| Jan low C = -14.3
| Feb low C = -13.2
| Mar low C = -7.1
| Apr low C = 0.5
| May low C = 7.5
| Jun low C = 12.9
| Jul low C = 15.4
| Aug low C = 14.3
| Sep low C = 9.6
| Oct low C = 3.4
| Nov low C = -2.4
| Dec low C = -9.6
| year low C = 1.4
| Jan record low C = -35.6
| Feb record low C = -36.1
| Mar record low C = -30.6
| Apr record low C = -16.7
| May record low C = -5.6
| Jun record low C = -0.1
| Jul record low C = 5.0
| Aug record low C = 2.6
| Sep record low C = -3.0
| Oct record low C = -8.0
| Nov record low C = -21.7
| Dec record low C = -34.4
| year record low C = -36.1
| Jan chill = −47.8
| Feb chill = −47.6
| Mar chill = −42.7
| Apr chill = −26.3
| May chill = −10.9
| Jun chill = 0.0
| Jul chill = 0.0
| Aug chill = 0.0
| Sep chill = −6.4
| Oct chill = −13.3
| Nov chill = −29.5
| Dec chill = −44.6
| year chill = -47.8
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 70.4
| Feb precipitation mm = 49.5
| Mar precipitation mm = 66.3
| Apr precipitation mm = 81.3
| May precipitation mm = 74.8
| Jun precipitation mm = 96.8
| Jul precipitation mm = 88.5
| Aug precipitation mm = 79.0
| Sep precipitation mm = 89.6
| Oct precipitation mm = 87.4
| Nov precipitation mm = 73.9
| Dec precipitation mm = 72.4
| year precipitation mm = 929.8
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 29.3
| Feb rain mm = 14.5
| Mar rain mm = 34.6
| Apr rain mm = 69.6
| May rain mm = 74.5
| Jun rain mm = 96.8
| Jul rain mm = 88.5
| Aug rain mm = 79.0
| Sep rain mm = 90.6
| Oct rain mm = 84.7
| Nov rain mm = 60.5
| Dec rain mm = 34.7
| year rain mm = 757.2
| snow colour = green
| Jan snow cm = 59.2
| Feb snow cm = 48.5
| Mar snow cm = 38.8
| Apr snow cm = 12.2
| May snow cm = 0.2
| Jun snow cm = 0.0
| Jul snow cm = 0.0
| Aug snow cm = 0.0
| Sep snow cm = 0.0
| Oct snow cm = 2.7
| Nov snow cm = 20.7
| Dec snow cm = 49.6
| year snow cm = 231.9
| unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
| unit rain days = 0.2 mm
| unit snow days = 0.2&nbsp;cm
| Jan precipitation days = 16.7
| Feb precipitation days = 13.0
| Mar precipitation days = 12.6
| Apr precipitation days = 12.1
| May precipitation days = 13.4
| Jun precipitation days = 13.9
| Jul precipitation days = 12.1
| Aug precipitation days = 11.2
| Sep precipitation days = 12.4
| Oct precipitation days = 14.1
| Nov precipitation days = 14.4
| Dec precipitation days = 16.7
| year precipitation days = 162.7
| Jan rain days = 4.9
| Feb rain days = 3.7
| Mar rain days = 6.8
| Apr rain days = 11.0
| May rain days = 13.4
| Jun rain days = 13.9
| Jul rain days = 12.1
| Aug rain days = 11.2
| Sep rain days = 12.3
| Oct rain days = 13.6
| Nov rain days = 10.5
| Dec rain days = 6.6
| year rain days = 120.0
| Jan snow days = 16.4
| Feb snow days = 12.9
| Mar snow days = 8.6
| Apr snow days = 3.2
| May snow days = 0.13
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.87
| Nov snow days = 6.5
| Dec snow days = 13.9
| year snow days = 62.3
| humidity colour = green
| time day = 15:00
| Jan humidity = 68.4
| Feb humidity = 62.0
| Mar humidity = 57.0
| Apr humidity = 49.5
| May humidity = 49.5
| Jun humidity = 53.5
| Jul humidity = 54.2
| Aug humidity = 55.3
| Sep humidity = 58.4
| Oct humidity = 61.6
| Nov humidity = 66.9
| Dec humidity = 72.3
| year humidity = 59.1
| Jan sun = 122.4
| Feb sun = 114.1
| Mar sun = 168.5
| Apr sun = 187.5
| May sun = 210.5
| Jun sun = 274.0
| Jul sun = 301.4
| Aug sun = 231.9
| Sep sun = 211.5
| Oct sun = 148.8
| Nov sun = 92.4
| Dec sun = 68.8
| year sun = 2131.7
| Jan percentsun = 43.1
| Feb percentsun = 39.0
| Mar percentsun = 45.7
| Apr percentsun = 46.3
| May percentsun = 45.7
| Jun percentsun = 58.6
| Jul percentsun = 63.7
| Aug percentsun = 53.1
| Sep percentsun = 56.1
| Oct percentsun = 43.7
| Nov percentsun = 32.2
| Dec percentsun = 25.2
| year percentsun = 46.0
| source 1 = [[Environment Canada]] (sunshine 1981–2010)<ref name=CCN>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927043627/https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=ON&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=191000000&dispBack=0 |archive-date=27 September 2023 |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=ON&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=191000000&dispBack=0 |title=Ottawa (Airport), Ontario |work=Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 |publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref><ref name=CCNairport1981>{{cite web |publisher=Environment Canada |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=4337 |title=Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 Station Data: Ottawa, Ontario |date=31 October 2011 |access-date=17 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610225253/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=4337 |archive-date=10 June 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=climate>{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp.tor.ec.gc.ca/Pub/Normals/English/ONT/ONT_GORE-OTTA_ENG.csv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718042915/ftp://ftp.tor.ec.gc.ca/Pub/Normals/English/ONT/ONT_GORE-OTTA_ENG.csv |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 July 2020 |title=1981 to 2010 Canadian Climate Normals |publisher=Environment Canada |id=Climate ID: 6106000 |date=2 July 2013 |access-date=19 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=OttawaAirportextremes>
{{cite web
| url = https://dd.weather.gc.ca/climate/ltce/daily/temperature/ON/climate_LTCE_Temperature-Records_ON_VSON52V.csv
| title = Long Term Climate Extremes for Ottawa Richmond-Metcalfe (Virtual Station ID: VSON118)
| work = Daily climate records (LTCE)
| publisher = Environment Canada
| access-date = April 6, 2025}}</ref><ref name="July18Hmdx">{{cite web |url=https://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/electrictiy-use-to-hit-highest-in-years-this-week-southern-eastern-ontario-energy-heat-wave-temperatures-humidex-ieso-ac-air-conditioning/105857 |title=Electricity use to hit highest in years this week in Ontario |publisher=The Weather Network |date=2 July 2018 |access-date=3 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703133542/https://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/electrictiy-use-to-hit-highest-in-years-this-week-southern-eastern-ontario-energy-heat-wave-temperatures-humidex-ieso-ac-air-conditioning/105857 |archive-date=3 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| date = July 2013
}}

=== Physical geography ===
[[File:Downtown Ottawa 2022.jpg|thumb|[[Downtown Ottawa]] is situated on the south bank of the [[Ottawa River]] with neighbouring [[Gatineau]] in the background across the river.]]
Ottawa is situated on the south bank of the Ottawa River and contains the mouths of the [[Rideau River]] and [[Rideau Canal]].<ref name="RipleyDana1875">{{cite book |author1=George Ripley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KshPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA733 |title=The American Cyclopaedia: a popular dictionary of general knowledge |author2=Charles Anderson Dana |publisher=Appleton |year=1875 |page=733 |access-date=15 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528212025/https://books.google.com/books?id=KshPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA733 |archive-date=28 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Rideau Canal (Rideau Waterway) first opened in 1832 and is {{cvt|202|km}} long.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parks Canada Agency |first=Government of Canada |date=17 April 2019 |title=History and culture - Rideau Canal National Historic Site |url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/histoire-history |access-date=13 August 2022 |website=www.pc.gc.ca |archive-date=19 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419032921/https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/histoire-history |url-status=live}}</ref> It connects the Saint Lawrence River on Lake Ontario at Kingston to the Ottawa River near Parliament Hill. It was able to bypass the unnavigable sections of the [[Cataraqui River|Cataraqui]] and Rideau rivers and various small lakes along the waterway due to flooding techniques and the construction of 47 water transport [[Lock (water transport)|locks.]]

Ottawa is situated in a lowland on top of [[Paleozoic]] carbonate and shale and is surrounded by more craggy [[Precambrian]] igneous and metamorphic formations. Ottawa has had fluvial [[Deposition (geology)|deposition]] of [[till]] and sands, leading to the widespread formation of [[esker]]s. There are limited distinct features arising from glacial deposits, but Ottawa was affected by the [[Wisconsin glaciation|Late Wisconsian advance]]. Before the draining of the Champlain Sea, the area had high salinity. After the draining of the sea, the area had pine-dominated forests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Natural Resources Canada |date=7 December 2015 |title=GEOSCAN Search Results: Fastlink |url=https://geoscan.nrcan.gc.ca/starweb/geoscan/servlet.starweb?path=geoscan/fulle.web&search1=R=122374#:~:text=The%20Ottawa%20region%20is%20a,Precambrian%20igneous%20and%20metamorphic%20rocks. |access-date=13 August 2022 |website=geoscan.nrcan.gc.ca |archive-date=23 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923212910/https://geoscan.nrcan.gc.ca/starweb/geoscan/servlet.starweb?path=geoscan/fulle.web&search1=R=122374#:~:text=The%20Ottawa%20region%20is%20a,Precambrian%20igneous%20and%20metamorphic%20rocks. |url-status=live}}</ref> Ottawa is located within the [[Western Quebec Seismic Zone]], and while relatively inactive, the city does occasionally experience earthquakes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Natural Resources Canada |title=Earthquake zones in Eastern Canada |url=https://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/zones/eastcan-en.php#WQSZ |access-date=13 August 2022 |website=earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca |language=en |archive-date=1 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901035350/http://www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/zones/eastcan-en.php#WQSZ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Earthquake2000">{{cite web |title=Earthquakes (Ottawa) |url=http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/products-services/mapping-product/geoscape/ottawa/6174 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408102203/http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/products-services/mapping-product/geoscape/ottawa/6174 |archive-date=8 April 2013 |access-date=4 April 2013 |publisher=Natural Resources Canada}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 February 2006 |title=Earthquake shakes Ottawa |newspaper=[[Ottawa Citizen]] |url=http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=24de3df5-eb4b-41de-8a31-9eb3ea0ed480&k=77474 |url-status=dead |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213171831/http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=24de3df5-eb4b-41de-8a31-9eb3ea0ed480&k=77474 |archive-date=13 February 2012}}</ref><ref name="Earthquake2010">{{cite web |date=23 June 2010 |title=Magnitude 5.5 – Ontario-Quebec Border Region, Canada |url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010xwa7.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626024653/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010xwa7.php |archive-date=26 June 2010 |access-date=23 June 2010 |publisher=USGS}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=17 May 2013 |title=Earthquake shakes Ottawa |publisher=[[CTV Television Network|CTV]] |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/earthquake-rattles-residents-in-ontario-quebec-1.1285923 |url-status=live |access-date=17 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518200929/http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/earthquake-rattles-residents-in-ontario-quebec-1.1285923 |archive-date=18 May 2013}}</ref>

=== Built environment ===
During part of the winter season the Ottawa section of the canal forms the world's largest skating rink, thereby providing both a recreational venue and a {{cvt|7.8|km}} transportation path to downtown for ice skaters (from Carleton University and Dow's Lake to the Rideau Centre and [[National Arts Centre]]).<ref>{{cite web |date=7 March 2011 |title=Rideau Canal Skateway – National Capital Commission:: |url=https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/rideau-canal-skateway |access-date=7 June 2011 |publisher=Canadian Heritage |archive-date=18 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118140436/https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/rideau-canal-skateway |url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 June 2007, the Rideau Canal was recognized as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Rideau Canal |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1221 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906172404/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1221 |archive-date=6 September 2011 |access-date=27 May 2011 |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre}}</ref>

The older part of the city (including what remains of Bytown) is known as [[Lower Town]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rodgers |first1=Richard |title=Ottawa's Lower Town |url=http://www.gta.igs.net/~rrodgers/lowertown/Lower_Town.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624122817/http://www.gta.igs.net/~rrodgers/lowertown/Lower_Town.htm |archive-date=24 June 2021 |access-date=2 May 2021 |publisher=IGS}}</ref> and occupies an area between the canal and the rivers. Across the canal to the west lie both [[Centretown]] and [[Downtown Ottawa]], which share a border along Gloucester Street.<ref>{{Cite web |last=City of Ottawa |title=Centretown Community Design Plan, Part 1 |url=https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/documents/2centretowncdp_en.pdf |access-date=13 August 2022 |archive-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114194609/https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/documents/2centretowncdp_en.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> These core neighbourhoods contain streets such as [[Elgin Street (Ottawa)|Elgin]] and [[Bank Street (Ottawa)|Bank]], which fill the role of commercial [[High Street|main streets]] in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=City of Ottawa |date=20 July 2017 |title=Centretown Community Design Plan |url=https://ottawa.ca/en/centretown-community-design-plan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114194615/https://ottawa.ca/en/centretown-community-design-plan |archive-date=14 January 2022 |access-date=13 July 2022}}</ref>

Centretown is next to downtown, which includes a substantial economic and architectural government presence across multiple branches of government. The [[Parliament of Canada|legislature]]'s work takes place in the parliamentary precinct, which includes buildings on [[Parliament Hill]] and others downtown, such as the [[Senate of Canada Building]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Public Services and Procurement Canada |date=31 July 2015 |title=Discover the Parliamentary Precinct – Canada's Parliamentary Precinct - PSPC |url=https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/citeparlementaire-parliamentaryprecinct/decouvrez-discover/index-eng.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621125422/https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/citeparlementaire-parliamentaryprecinct/decouvrez-discover/index-eng.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |access-date=13 July 2022 |website=www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca}}</ref> Important buildings in the executive branch include the [[Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council]] as well as many civil service buildings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council |url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_fhbro_eng.aspx?id=2992 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507065321/https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_fhbro_eng.aspx?id=2992 |archive-date=7 May 2022 |access-date=13 July 2022 |website=www.pc.gc.ca |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Panico |first=Giacomo |date=1 November 2019 |title=Sparks Street's great divide bad for business, merchants say |work=CBC News Ottawa |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/sparks-street-s-great-divide-bad-for-business-merchants-say-1.5339340 |url-status=live |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101003444/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/sparks-street-s-great-divide-bad-for-business-merchants-say-1.5339340 |archive-date=1 November 2020}}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of Canada]] building can also be found in this area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Supreme Court of |date=1 January 2001 |title=Supreme Court of Canada - The Court - SCC Building |url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/court-cour/buil-edi-eng.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603161227/https://scc-csc.ca/court-cour/buil-edi-eng.aspx |archive-date=3 June 2022 |access-date=13 July 2022 |website=www.scc-csc.ca}}</ref>

Across the Ottawa River, which forms the border between Ontario and [[Quebec]], lies the city of [[Gatineau]], itself the result of amalgamation of the former Quebec cities of [[Hull (Quebec)|Hull]] and [[Aylmer (Quebec)|Aylmer]].<ref name="RazinSmith2006">{{cite book |author1=Eran Razin |url=https://archive.org/details/metropolitangove00smit |title=Metropolitan governing: Canadian cases, comparative lessons |author2=Patrick J. Smith |publisher=University of Alberta |year=2006 |isbn=978-965-493-285-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/metropolitangove00smit/page/79 79] |access-date=15 November 2015 |url-access=registration}}</ref> Although formally and administratively separate cities in two different provinces, Ottawa and Gatineau (along with several nearby municipalities) collectively constitute the [[National Capital Region (Canada)|National Capital Region]], which is considered a single metropolitan area.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=30 September 2013 |title=Consolidated federal laws of Canada, National Capital Act |url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/n-4/page-3.html#h-374470 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502032420/https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/n-4/page-3.html#h-374470 |archive-date=2 May 2022 |access-date=13 July 2022 |website=laws-lois.justice.gc.ca}}</ref> One federal [[Crown corporations of Canada|Crown corporation]], the National Capital Commission, or NCC, has significant land holdings in both cities, including sites of historical and touristic importance.<ref name=":4" /> The NCC, through its responsibility for planning and development of these lands, has a crucial role in shaping the development of the city.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Erickson |first=Donna L |date=2004 |title=The relationship of historic city form and contemporary greenway implementation: a comparison of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA) and Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) |journal=Landscape and Urban Planning |volume=68 |issue=2–3 |pages=206 |citeseerx=10.1.1.508.4274 |doi=10.1016/S0169-2046(03)00160-9 |bibcode=2004LUrbP..68..199E |s2cid=86215921 |issn=0169-2046}}</ref> Around the main urban area is an extensive [[Green belt|greenbelt]], administered by the NCC for conservation and leisure, and comprising mostly forest, farmland and marshland.<ref name="BrownMitchell2005">{{cite book |title=The protected landscape approach: linking nature, culture and community |publisher=IUCN—The World Conservation Union |year=2005 |isbn=978-2-8317-0797-6 |editor1=Jessica Brown |page=195 |editor2=Nora J. Mitchell |editor3=Michael Beresford}}</ref>