As of October 28, 2023, the capital of Canada is Ottawa. It is located in the southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area (CMA) and the National Capital Region (NCR) . The selection of Ottawa as the capital of Canada predates the Confederation of Canada, and it was officially named the capital city of Canada on December 31, 1857, by Queen Victoria.