Gatineau, Quebec is situated in the region of Hull, in the western portion of the province on the north coast of the Ottawa River. It is directly across from the nation's capital of Ottawa, Ontario and is part of the oldest European settlement in the National Capital Region. The population of Gatineau is about 265,349, and the metropolitan population of the cities of Gatineau and Ottawa is 1,236,324.
The township of Gatineau was founded by Philemon Wright in 1800, when he led his family and several others, and some labourers to the area nearby Chaudiere Falls. The group intended to create an agricultural community within the wilderness, but discovered a more productive trade in wood. First referred to as Wrightstown, it was renamed Hull. More recently, after amalgamation during the year 2002, it became Gatineau, the largest town in the Outaouais region.
Gatineau is so close to the nation's capital that various provincial and federal offices are situated there. The federal government has a plan encouraging federal civil servant jobs on both sides of the Ottawa River. Some big towers house federal government offices within downtown Gatineau, like Place du Portage and Terrasses de la Chaudière. The head offices of the Public Works and Government Services Canada, Canadian International Development Agency and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are situated within Gatineau.
The Canadian Museum of Civilization within the city of Gatineau draws thousands of visitors as does the Casino du Lac-Leamy, that hosts an annual international fireworks competition. The city of Gatineau hosts a colourful spectacle every Labour Day weekend when hundreds of hot air balloons take to the skies.