Ottawa City: Facts about Seventh Coldest City in the World
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VIVA – Ottawa is a well-known city and has been reaping positive reviews as a place of recreation and great culture. Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and claims the 4th largest city of Canada. Ottawa is also the 7th coldest city in the world.
Ottawa is located on the south part of the Ottawa River. It is also situated in a dormant fault line which explains the occurrence of earthquakes in the city.
So, here are 9 interesting facts about Ottawa, Canada:
1. There's the Biggest Ice-Skating Place in Ottawa
When the Rideau Canal froze, it became the longest skating rink not only in Canada but in the world. Depending on the weather, some parts of the canal may be closed due to unreliable ice. Tourists can also explore the Rideau Canal by boat.
2. The House of Representatives Building is Almost Compeletely Burned
In 1916, there was a great fire in Parliament. It started because of a fire in the wastebasket. Since the building was built mainly of wood in 1866.
The Parliamentary Library is the only surviving part. Thanks to the clever librarian who closed the iron fire door, the inspiring library and many important documents inside were saved. This is why the library looks clearly older than the other parliament buildings.
3. Not Planning to Be the Capital
Kingston, Ontario is the native capital of Upper Canada. After Canada's formal confederation in 1867, several Canadian cities were running for the capital.
Montreal, Toronto, and Kingston are all competitors. All three cities were more developed at that time; however, Queen Victoria surprisingly chose Ottawa as the capital city.
The reason is that it is somewhat between Montreal and Toronto, and on the border of English and French speaking Canada at that time.
4. The Seventh Coldest Capital City in the World
Ottawa is a great place to go skating, watch a winter light show or take part in the annual Winterlude festival because Ottawa is the seventh coldest capital city in the world.
5. There's an Old Haunted Prison that's been Turned into a Dormitory
Carlton County was an operational prison from 1862 until its closure in 1972. It held inmates accused of all manner of crimes, including murder. Now, this old prison operates as a dormitory.
There used to be a policy that people could stay for free if they could spend the night in one of the death row cells on the top floor.
6. Ottawa Has Many National Landmarks
Ottawa is one of the unique cities in Canada. It has many national landmarks such as Parliament Hill (the Canadian parliament building is the same as the Houses of Parliament in England), the National Gallery of Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint, Rideau Canal, Scotiabank Place and others.
The Rideau Canal in winter serves as the site for the longest ice skating and boat tours in the summer. Ottawa is the seventh coldest capital in the world.
7. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Rideau Canal comprises an extensive system of locks, and connects Ottawa by water to the St. River. Lawrence and Lake Ontario.
It is noted for its diligent use of European slackwater canal technology in North America. Although it was built for the function of connecting Ottawa to Kingston, its use today offers an amazing activity.
8. Ottawa Becomes a Site of Massive Protests and Demonstrations
Ottawa has been the site of major protests and demonstrations, including many Algonquian protests (back 250 years), Stoney Monday Riot (1849), On-to-Ottawa Trek (1935), Canada's first Gay & Lesbian protest (1971), Occupy Ottawa Movement (2011-2012), Women's March (2017), Black Lives Matter (2020), and Canada Convoy (Truckers') Protest (2022).
9. Ever Experienced an Earthquake
Ottawa experiences about 10 earthquakes/year. One of the largest in recent times was the 2010 Central Canada Earthquake, which caused the evacuation of all schools in Ottawa.
