Learn About Canada

Ottawa was called Bytown until 1855 after Colonel John By (1781-1836) of the Royal Engineers, to whom the British government entrusted the construction of the Rideau Canal. Derived from the Algonquin term adawe, "to trade", the name given to the tribe which controlled the trade of the river. The name was applied first to the river. The French form is Outaouais.

The City of Ottawa's heritage is one of its most important assets. It is preserved, researched and told through local archives, museums, historical and archaeological sites, cemeteries, historical gardens, monuments, libraries, events, galleries, memorials, and architectural legacy.

Food: Because of the international culture of Canada, Canadian foods tend to be a fusion of other styles of cooking, including English, French and Italian. Among some uniquely Canadian foods are poutine, french fries drenched in cheese curds and gravy, and tire d'erable, a taffy made from boiled syrup poured on snow.

Regional Specialities: Newfoundland is famous for its wild partridge berries, seal flippers,squid and shellfish. Prince Edward Island was the first province to produce cultured mussels. Nova Scotia has been always famous for its outstanding quality of lobster, scallops, smoked mackerel. New Brunswick is the site of many eel ponds. The eels are marketed live or smoked. The world's largest potato processor, McCain, is located in Florenceville, New Brunswick. Quebec, long considered to be a province where eating and drinking are a part of good living, offers many delicacies, Brome Lake duck, apples from Rougemont, Matane shrimps, cider vinegar, genuine maple syrup.

Ontario is justly famous for its superb quality corn fed pork, and back bacon (a k a Canadian bacon), pemeal bacon, just to name a few. Manitoba is known for various foodstuffs: Winnipeg gold eye, wild rice, whitefish, mullet, pickerel, northern pike, lake trout, carp, golden caviar and arctic char, harvested in the many pristine lakes of the province. Saskatchewan also produces wild rice. Alberta is justly famous for its superior quality beef, pork and potatoes. British Columbia is famous for its salmon, fruit and vegetables. British Columbia's wine industry is second to none and excels in dry and sweet white wines.