National Capital Region facts for kids

The National Capital Region is an official Federal name for the Canadian capital of Ottawa, Ontario, and neighbouring Gatineau, Quebec, and the area near them. The National Capital Region has an area of 5,319 square kilometres that straddles the boundary between the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The area of the National Capital Region is almost the same as that of the Ottawa-Gatineau Census Metropolitan Area, although the National Capital Region has a number of small neighbouring communities that are not contained within the CMA. When all the communities are added, the population is 1,451,415.

The National Capital Region is not a separate political jurisdiction, although the National Capital Commission is deeply involved in political, cultural, and land use planning matters in the National Capital Region. Proposals have sometimes been made to separate the National Capital Region from its two respective provinces, and transform it into a separate capital district, like the District of Columbia in the United States or the Australian Capital Territory. Such proposals have never come close to passage, and there does not currently appear to be any political will or necessity to pursue this option.

Cities, towns, and populations within Ottawa-Gatineau CMA

Source: 2006 Census of Canada

Other towns within National Capital Region

While not officially in the CMA, the following municipalities (most of which are adjacent to the CMA) are included in the National Capital Region, due to their close economic and social ties with Ottawa.