An Aerial view of Parliament Hill, Ottawa A concern for the environment has always played an important role in the growth of Ottawa, Canada's Federal Capital. This has resulted in a city with all the benefits of urban life, and yet because it is a centre of government and service, Ottawa lacks the industrialization so common in most cities of the same size. Ottawa is a city of parks and trees and is surrounded by farmlands, forests and rivers, so nature is never far away. It has much to offer the visitor, from pageantry and tradition to marvellous museums and galleries and outstanding recreational facilities. Winters can be bitterly cold and snow is common from November through to March, though due to excellent snow removal procedures the city is seldom shutdown by a blizzard.
Summer is usually pleasantly warm but can sometimes be rather humid.
Spring is one of the best times to visit, not only because of the more moderate temperatures but also because of the beautiful flowering bulbs, culminating in the world's largest Tulip Festival . Likewise fall also promises magnificent colours from the city's many trees and those in the surrounding countryside. Canada's rail network Via Rail serves Ottawa, and it is linked to the main transcontinental route across the country. Major bus lines also serve the Capital Region. Ottawa also has easy highway access.