Ottawa’s rich array of services and natural treasures allow the citizens of this community to enjoy unparalleled health, comfort and economic security. In return, the people of Ottawa share a profound pride in, and affection for, their Capital — its history and accomplishments, and its magnificent potential. A bilingual place to live and grow, Ottawa is ranked among the world’s most desirable cities to call home.
Facts About Ottawa
- A population of over 1.2 million makes the Ottawa region the fourth-largest urban area in Canada.
- Ottawa is home to such high tech Companies as IBM, Alcatel-Lucent, JDS Uniphase, Adobe and Entrust.
- Our technology companies are complemented by MBNA Canada, ING Direct, Clarica and MD Management.
- Ottawa is also the home of government organizations such as the Government of Canada, Parliament, the Senate, and the Supreme Court of Canada.
- More than 1,500 advanced technology companies employ more than 65,000 people.
- With the highest-educated workforce in Canada, Ottawa has more engineers, scientists and PhDs per capita than any other city in the country. $1.3 billion CDN in venture capital was invested in Ottawa technology companies from 2000 to 2002.
- With 90 per cent of Canada’s industrial telecommunications research and development conducted here, Ottawa is one of the world’s top five sites for R&D Canada’s Capital region welcomes over 7 million visitors per year, who spend over $1.3 billion. The Capital’s tourism and convention industry generates more than $2 billion in economic activity.
- According to Statistics Canada, families in Ottawa had the highest median incomes of any Canadian city in 2001.
- Ottawa was ranked sixth in the world for quality of life by the Corporate Resources Group, a Swiss-based management firm.
- Languages spoken include English (50%), French (32%) and a host of other languages including significant capabilities in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic.