A survey in 2011 ranked Ottawa-Gatineau first at 31.5% in terms of the number of university degrees holders (bachelor and higher) as a percentage of the population aged 15 and above. The tour guide contended that Ottawa has the highest number of PhD holders working there compared to any other Canadian city.
Unlike Quebec, French speaking people are not in the majority. 37% of the population can speak both English and French. Both languages are the co-official languages.
Our stopover at Ottawa is short and confined to just one location - the Parliament Hill. Reckoned as the most important building site in Ottawa, it was not a surprise why the Parliament Hill was chosen for the short visit. We were but some of the 3 million visitors who come here annually. There are three major building complexes in Parliament Hill, one in the middle and one each at the right and left. The Centennial Flame occupies strategically in the middle of all three complexes. All the architectures are typically French design.
The Centre Block is the Canadian parliamentary complex. This contains the House of Commons and Senate chambers, as well as offices for members of parliament, senators and senior administrators for both legislatures.
The Centennial Flame or the Eternal Flame was first lit on 1 January 1967 during the centennial celebration. Though it's termed eternal, it is switched off four time a year for cleaning and maintenance.
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| Parliament Building & Centennial Flame. |
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The Peace Tower at the centre of the
Parliament Building stands at 302 feet.
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Since 2002, the buildings in Parliament Hill Precinct have been undergoing renovation and rehabilitation costing CAN$1 billion. This is scheduled to be completed in 2020.
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| West Block of Parliament Building Complex. |
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| East Block of Parliament Building Complex. |
It you ask me, "Have you been to Ottawa?". Yes, I did, but only to one teeny-tiny spot!
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