• includes 4,715 square kilometres of river valley, mountainous areas, wetlands and fields
• spans both sides of the Ottawa River encompassing parts of two Canadian provinces: Ontario (to the South) and Quebec (to the North)
• has an elevation of seventy-nine metres above sea level
• has high humidity year round resulting in hot summers, cold and snowy winters
• contains two major cities - Ottawa and Gatineau - and numerous small towns
• has a population of 1.081 million
• is one of Canada?s most bilingual communities, with nearly half a million people speaking both English and French

Insider's Tip:
The Capital Infocentre offers a complete range of services and tools to help you plan your stay according to your needs.
Whether you're looking for information by phone or in person, they can help. The Capital Infocentre is located across from Parliament Hill, close to many attractions.

Location
90 Wellington Street
(across from Parliament Hill)
Ottawa, Ontario
Hours of Operation
May 9, 2005, to Labour Day, 2005: daily, 8:30 am to 9 pm
September 6, 2005, to May 7, 2006: daily, 9 am to 5 pm
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year?s Day (December 25 and 26, and January 1)
Personal Services
Information officers can help you prepare an itinerary based on your tastes, needs and interests.
Take a look at the Model of the Capital?s Downtown it will help you find your way around the main sites in the core of the Capital.
Touch Screens
Interactive Visitor Information System to find a whole lot of information on attractions in the region, tailored to your preferences and destinations of choice.
Exhibits and Observation Gallery
The Capital Infocentre often has temporary exhibits, as well as the main exhibit on the second floor, which tells the history of Ottawa and the development of the city as Canada?s Capital.
Multimedia Theatre

Population: Within the city: 323,300. In the metropolitan area: 1.081 million
Elevation: 285 feet
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5). Daylight saving April-October.
Emergencies: Call 911 for fire, police, or ambulance.
 
Average Temperatures

Language: one of Canada's most bilingual communities, with nearly half a million people speaking both English and French
 
Area Code: The telephone area code for Ottawa is 613; for Hull, 819. When calling from Ottawa to Hull, you don't need to use the area code.
 
Liquor: The government controls liquor distribution, selling liquor and wine at certain LCBO stores and beer at others. Liquor stores generally open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm (to 9pm Thurs and Fri). Beer outlets open Monday to Saturday noon to 8pm (also to 9pm Thurs and Fri). The legal drinking age is 19 in Ottawa but 18 in Hull.
 
Getting to Ottawa
By Plane
Ottawa's Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is serviced by 16 airlines on a daily basis. Direct flights arrive from all major Canadian and many American cities. Connections can also be made via Montreal and Toronto.
The city boasts easy access to rail and bus terminals, located only minutes from downtown, that connect Ottawa to other cities in Canada and the U.S.
By car:
Driving from the U.S. border, take Route 401 east to Route 16 north. From the west, come via Toronto, taking Route 401 east to Route 16 north. From Montr?al, take Route 17 to Route 417.
By Train
VIA Rail trains arrive at the station at 200 Tremblay Rd., at boulevard St-Laurent, in the southeastern area of the city. From here buses connect to downtown. For rail information, contact VIA Rail Canada at 613-244-1660.
By Bus
Buses arrive at the Central Bus Station, 265 Catherine St., between Kent and Lyon. Voyageur Colonial (613/238-5900) provides service from other Canadian cities and the United States.

Getting Around
Transportation within the city of Ottawa is excellent on foot, by bus, and by bike. The downtown core is very compact and many of the sites and attractions are accessible on foot. Guided sightseeing tours, many of which operate on a schedule with flexible "on-off" privileges, allow visitors to stop and see the attractions of their choice. Sightseeing can be done via a walking tour, on an air-conditioned coach, a motorized trolley or on an authentic British double-decker bus. To experience the city up-close, visitors can rent a bicycle and pedal along Ottawa's designated bike lanes and scenic paths; or, pamper themselves and hire a rickshaw. Boat cruises along the Rideau Canal, Rideau River or Ottawa River are also a good way to see the sights.
 
The only public transportation is the 130-route bus network operated by the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Transit Commission (OC Transpo). For information about routes, where to buy tickets, etc, call 613-741-4390 www.octtranspo.com
 
DayPass allows unlimited travel on all routes. Exact change, tickets, or the pass is required. You can buy tickets at 300 retail outlets, such as newsstands and PharmaPlus. All routes converge downtown at the Rideau Center; they begin to close down at midnight, and there is no service 1 to 6am.
 
In Hull, buses are operated by the Soci?t? de Transport l'Outaouais 819/ 770-3242). Transfers between the two systems are obtainable when you pay your fare on the bus.
 
You can hail a taxi on the street, but you'll find one more readily in front of major hotels and important buildings. Most drivers accept credit cards, usually MasterCard or Visa.
 
When driving, remember that Ontario has a compulsory seat-belt requirement.
Cars can turn right after stopping at a red light in Ottawa, but not across the river in Hull, Qu?bec. The Queensway (Route 417) cuts right across the city, adding to the confusion. The downtown entrance to the highway is at O'Connor Street. Exit the highway at Kent Street for downtown.
 
Bike rental Rent-a-Bike, Mackenzie Ave, behind Ch?teau Laurier (April to Thanksgiving daily 9am-6pm; 241-4140).