Capital of Canada: Ottawa — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Canada is Ottawa. Canada sits in North America, has a population of 38,929,902, and uses the CAD. Official languages include English, French.
Quick facts
- Capital: Ottawa
- Continent: North America
- Population: ~38,929,902
- Area: 9,984,670 km²
- Population density: 3.9 people per km²
- Official languages: English, French
- Currency: CAD
- ISO code: CA
How big is Canada?
By population, Canada ranks 38th in the world, holding roughly 0.49% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 2nd.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Canada has 3.9 people per square kilometre, which is far below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within North America, Canada is the 3rd most populous country of 23.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Canada in population are Poland (39,857,145) and Ukraine (38,000,000).
By land area, its closest counterparts are United States (9,833,517 km²) and China (9,596,961 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
English is spoken officially in 58 countries in this dataset, including Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados and Belize, and 52 others.
Canada uses the CAD, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Canada
Ottawa is in Ontario, where the Ottawa and Rideau rivers meet, right across from Gatineau in Quebec. For the flag, just think of the red maple leaf.
The flag of Canada: red and white
🇨🇦 The flag is a white square between two red vertical bands, with a red 11-pointed maple leaf in the centre. The maple leaf is a national symbol of Canada. The flag was adopted in 1965.
Region and neighbours
Canada is the second-largest country in the world by total area, filling the northern part of North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific and north into the Arctic Ocean. It shares land borders with one country: United States. The CIA World Factbook also lists a 1.3 km land border with Denmark (Greenland).
- United States 🇺🇸 — capital Washington, D.C.
Three facts about Canada
- Canada has the longest coastline of any country.
- Canada's border with the United States is the longest international land border.
- Canada is officially bilingual, in English and French, at the federal level.
Sources: Wikipedia: Canada, Wikipedia: Flag of Canada, Wikipedia: Ottawa, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Canada
- North American capitals quiz — match Canada to Ottawa
- North American flags quiz — spot the Canada flag among its neighbours
Canada capital quiz
What is the capital of Canada 🇨🇦?
- Havana
- Guatemala City
- Mexico City
- Ottawa
Show answer
Ottawa
What is the capital of Guatemala 🇬🇹?
- Kingstown
- Guatemala City
- Belmopan
- San Salvador
Show answer
Guatemala City
What is the capital of Mexico 🇲🇽?
- Mexico City
- Kingston
- San Salvador
- Havana
Show answer
Mexico City
What is the capital of Haiti ðŸ‡ðŸ‡¹?
- Santo Domingo
- Managua
- Guatemala City
- Port-au-Prince
Show answer
Port-au-Prince
What is the capital of Dominican Republic 🇩🇴?
- Port of Spain
- Santo Domingo
- San José
- Saint John's
Show answer
Santo Domingo
Canada in North America
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are United States, Mexico, Guatemala and Haiti.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — North America is the block Canada belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Canada?
The capital of Canada is Ottawa.
What is the population of Canada?
About 38,929,902, making it the 38th most populous country in the world.
How big is Canada?
9,984,670 square kilometres, ranking 2nd by land area, at a density of 3.9 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Canada use?
The CAD, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Canada flag?
The flag of Canada is a white square between two red vertical bands, with a red 11-pointed maple leaf in the centre. The maple leaf is a national symbol of Canada. The flag was adopted in 1965.
Which countries border Canada?
Canada shares land borders with United States. The CIA World Factbook also lists a 1.3 km land border with Denmark (Greenland).
How can I remember the capital of Canada?
Ottawa is in Ontario, where the Ottawa and Rideau rivers meet, right across from Gatineau in Quebec. For the flag, just think of the red maple leaf.
More capitals to learn
- Capital of Antigua and Barbuda: Saint John's
- Capital of Bahamas: Nassau
- Capital of Barbados: Bridgetown
- Capital of Belize: Belmopan
- Capital of Costa Rica: San José
- Capital of Cuba: Havana
- Capital of Dominica: Roseau
- Capital of Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo
- Capital of El Salvador: San Salvador
- Capital of United States: Washington, D.C.
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