What is the Capital of Australia?
Australia is a country which is below the world, it has beautiful places, many different animals and a lively mix of cultures from its native history and people from all over the world.
Capital of Australia – Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. The city is famous for its organized layout and lots of open space. Important places like Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial are there. Canberra has modern buildings, parks, and cool things to do which makes it a mixture of history, nature, and modern life.
Canberra has a diverse 2023 estimated population of 466K and it covers an area of approximately 814 square kilometers. It is Australia’s largest inland city and the eighth-largest Australian city overall.
Where is Canberra?
Canberra is located in the southeast part of Australia, in its own special area called the Australian Capital Territory. It is bordered by New South Wales to the east and north, while Victoria is to the south. Canberra’s central location within the Australian Capital Territory offers easy access to government institutions and cultural sites.
Interesting Facts about Canberra
- Canberra is one of the few planned capital cities in the world, designed by American architect Walter Burley Griffin in 1912.
- The largest flower festival, Floriade, is hosted by Australia every year in spring and people from all over Australia come to see the colorful flower shows.
- Lake Burley Griffin is an artificial lake in the heart of Canberra which is named after the city’s architect. It offers activities such as boating, kayaking, and cycling.
- In Canberra, people from different cultures share their traditions through festivals, events, and different food cuisines from around the world.
- There are lots of different plants and animals. You can find over 6,000 types of plants and lots of animals like kangaroos, cockatoos, and echidnas.
- The iconic Parliament House, where the Australian Parliament meets, was officially opened in 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II. It replaced the old Parliament House, which is now used for ceremonial purposes and as a museum.
- Anzac Parade in Canberra, lined with numerous monuments honoring Australia’s soldiers and wars, stretches from the Australian War Memorial to Lake Burley Griffin and hosts ceremonies like Anzac Day.
Former Capitals of Australia
Australia used to have different places as its capital before Canberra became the main one. Below are some of the former capitals of Australia:
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Sydney
Sydney was Australia’s first capital from 1788 when the British started the New South Wales colony. It was where the government worked and stayed in the capital even after Australia became a country in 1901.
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Melbourne
During the planning and construction of Canberra, Melbourne actively served as the temporary capital. They picked it because it’s in the middle of New South Wales and Victoria, where most people lived back then.
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Adelaide
Adelaide was the capital of South Australia, it was the government’s home for a short time in 1901. The new Australian government met there before going to Melbourne.
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