Petawawa, Ontario, nestled in the eastern part of Southern Ontario, is the most populous municipality in Renfrew County with a population of 18,160 according to the 2021 Census. The town's history traces back to the Algonquin First Nation, the earliest settlers in the area. The name "Petawawa" is derived from the Algonquin word "biidaawewe," meaning "where one hears a noise like this."
The original spelling of the town was "Petewawa," but Privy Council documents indicate the name "Petawawa" being used as early as 27 March 1907. The change in spelling is speculated to be due to the influx of immigration to the area, which may have altered the pronunciation from its native roots to a more European pronunciation.
In the late 19th century, the area was settled by emigrants from Scotland, Ireland, and Germany. Despite the land being unsuitable for crops, the heavily forested surroundings were ideal for logging. Petawawa was incorporated as a township in 1865 and later became home to the Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, one of Canada's largest ground forces bases.
Petawawa is situated on the west bank of the Ottawa River, at the confluence of the Petawawa River. With the Laurentian Mountains across the Ottawa River and Algonquin Park to the east, Petawawa is a favorite stop for outdoor enthusiasts, anglers, hikers, canoers, and kayakers. The town comprises the communities of Black Bay, Kramer Subdivision, Laurentian View, McGuire, Petawawa Point, Pine Meadows, Pine Ridge, Pinehurst Estates, and Riverview.
Petawawa experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) characterized by long, cold, snowy winters and warm summers.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Petawawa had a population of 18,160 living in 6,762 of its 7,174 total private dwellings. This was a 5.7% increase from its 2016 population of 17,187. With a land area of 164.7 km2 (63.6 sq mi), it had a population density of 110.3/km2 (285.6/sq mi) in 2021.
Access to Petawawa is provided by Ontario Highway 17, Ontario Northlands bus service from Ottawa, and the local commercial airport (Pembroke Airport). The town's primary employer is the Canadian Government, with most residents working as civilian employees or as members of the Canadian Forces at CFB Petawawa. Another major employer is Chalk River Laboratories located nearby in Chalk River.
