The Canadian Museum of Nature has opened in Ottawa following a CAN$216m (£141m, US$202m, 164m euro) renovation.

The museum opened on Saturday (22 May), to coincide with the International Day for Biological Diversity.

President and CEO of the museum, Joanne DiCosimo, said: "Thanks to the major investment made by the Government of Canada, we now have a fully modern natural science museum housed in a significant national historic site.

"Canada now has a fitting national museum to illustrate and engage the public in the extraordinary variety and complexity of or unique natural environment."

The refit of the 100-year-old Victoria Memorial Museum Building began in 2004. The infrastructure was upgraded and major heritage components have been restored.

A new glass entrance has been built, as well as two new signature galleries. The first, the RBC Blue Water Gallery, explores the diversity of freshwater and marine life, with a 65ft (20m) skeleton of an adolescent blue whale.

The second, the Vale Earth Gallery, showcases more than 1,000 rocks and minerals, more than half of which have never been displayed publicly.

There is also the new Animalium, which has live a collection of insects, arachnids and slugs.

New visitor amenities include the Nature Café, a boutique and conference space.