Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It stands on the south bank of theOttawa River in the eastern portion of southern Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec; the two form the core of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area (CMA) and the National Capital Region (NCR). The 2016 census reported a population of 934,243, making it the fourth-largest city in Canada; and 1,323,783 within the CMA, making it the fifth-largest CMA in Canada. Traditionally the Golden Triangle (both in Centretown  Downtown) have been the focal points of the cultural scenes in Ottawa Modern thoroughfares such as Rideau Street, Elgin Street, Somerset Street,  and Sparks Street are home to many boutiques, museums, theatres, galleries, landmarks and memorials in addition to eating establishments, cafes, bars and nightclubs.Ottawa hosts a variety of annual seasonal activities—such as , the largest festival in Canada,Canada DayBluesfestCanadian Tulip FestivalOttawa Dragon Boat FestivalOttawa International Jazz FestivalFringe FestivalFolk Music Festival In 2010, Ottawa's Festival industry received the  "World Festival and Event City Award" for the category of North American cities with a population between 500,000 and 1,000,000.The Canadian Tulip Festival celebrates the return of spring, with over a million displays of tulips planted throughout Ottawa, Canada's capital. Book this 2-hour guided bike tour that takes place during the annual event available from May 12 to May 22. On your leisurely ride, enjoy expansive bursts of color as you pedal through gardens blooming with more than 300,000 tulips.
Dubbed the "emerald necklace," this rural landscape spans 200 square-kilometers of open space containing farms, forests, natural areas, recreational facilities, and public and private research complexes.