Overview Ottawa has doubled its population over the past 50 years and has grown to become a major Canadian city, with over a million residents in Ottawa proper and a larger metropolitan area of 1.5 million people when including surrounding municipalities on both sides of the Ottawa River. Historically, Ottawa’s identity has largely been shaped by its role as Canada’s capital. To many, Ottawa is known as home to Canada’s important national symbols, including Parliament Hill, the National Arts Centre, and several national museums. However, with an increasing population and diversifying local economy has come an evolving regional identity and culture in Ottawa; one that is based on shared local history (including Indigenous history), bilingualism, mu