In progress Photostory 1/8 : Striking to the eyes of summer visitors is the fresh greenness of Canada's capital. From the top of the Peace Tower - central pinnacle of the Houses of Parliament - the city stretches east, west and south amid what appears to be a veritable forest of trees, whilst to the north, across the broad reaches of the Ottawa river into the province of Quebec, the Gatineau Hills are a thickly-wooded domain of natural beauty. No accident this, for the city of Ottawa, founded on the tree business, when huge rafts of squared timbers were floated down river by their legendary crews a century ago, has long done what it can to safeguard the trees within its boundaries. And today, when the city employs tree watchers to roam the streets looking for trees in need of help and the National Capital Commission deploys the task forces to plant instant woodlands along its scenic driveways, the city is taking on an even greener hue. _x000B__x000B_Add to this the wide swaths of grassy avenues, the conscientious landscaping by industrial enterprises and apartment block complexes, and, certainly not least, the thousands of proud homeowners who tend their lawns, ornamental shrubs and trees in friendly competition with their neighbours, and the coolness and freshness of the Ottawa summer is not surprising. _x000B__x000B_Ottawa today, with a metropolitan area housing more than 500,00 people, enjoys an above-average sunshine count, a below-average allergic pollen count and a profusion of amenities enjoyed by few populations of other large metropolitan areas. With its thriving National Arts Centre, leisurely-paced shopping malls, fountains, gardens and gleaming skyscrapers, the city offers much for everybody. Opera, go-go dancers, nature walks, water sports, art galleries, scientific institutions, sidewalk cafes, soldiers on parade - these and much more make the capital scene a focal point for vacationers and the choice for numerous national and international conventions and meetings. _x000B__x000B_Modern, bicultural Ottawa can well take pride in its role as Canada's capital and as one of the most picturesque showplaces of the nation.