Ottawa (/ˈɒtəwə/ or /ˈɒtəwɑː/) is the capital of Canada. It stands on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario.Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec; the two form the cores of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area (CMA) and the National Capital Region (NCR).ttawa (/ˈɒtəwə/ or /ˈɒtəwɑː/) is the capital of Canada. It stands on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario.