Leslie Massey
Victoria is a state in southeastern Australia, occupying a mountainous coastal region of the continent. It is the country's sixth-largest state/territory, with an area of 227,444 square kilometres (87,817 square miles) or 11 million hectares. Victoria has a rich variety of landscapes, including both alpine plateaus in the northeast and sandy deserts in the west. The state is home to the Australian Alps, the Great Dividing Range, and the Murray River, which forms its northern border. With a population of 6.5 million people, Victoria is the second-most populous state in Australia and is known for its diverse agriculture and food industries, contributing significantly to the country's exports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area | 227,416 square km or 87,806 square miles |
| Population (2021) | 6,503,491 |
| Population Density | Highest in Australia |
| Main Land Feature | Great Dividing Range |
| Main River | Murray River |
| Longest River | Goulburn River |
| Main Upland Areas | Continuation of the Great Dividing Range of eastern Australia |
| Highest Mountain | Mount Bogong |
| Highest Point South of the Main Divide | Mount Reynard |
| Average January Maximum Temperature | Victoria's north is hotter than coastal and mountainous areas |
| Average July Maximum Temperature | Victoria's hills and ranges are coolest |
| Highest Recorded Temperature | 48.8 °C (119.8 °F) in Hopetoun |
| Average Yearly Precipitation | Rainfall is concentrated in the mountainous northeast and coast |
| Primary Agricultural Products | Grain, meat, dairy, animal fibre, and horticulture |
| Number of Farm Businesses (2021-22) | 21,300 |
| Percentage of State's Total Land Area Used for Farming (2021-22) | 50% |
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What You'll Learn
Victoria is Australia's sixth-largest state
Victoria is a state in southeastern Australia, hugging the tip of the country's east coast. It is Australia's sixth-largest state or territory, with a land area of 227,444 square kilometres (87,817 sq mi). To put that into perspective, Victoria is roughly the same size as the island of Great Britain or the US state of Utah.
Victoria is Australia's second-smallest state, with only Tasmania being smaller. Despite its relatively small size, Victoria is the country's second-most-populated state, with a population of over 6.7 million people. It has the highest population density in Australia, with 30.6 people per square kilometre. The majority of Victoria's population is concentrated in the central-southern area surrounding Port Phillip Bay, particularly within the metropolitan area of Greater Melbourne, the state's capital and Australia's second-largest city. Other major cities in Victoria include Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo.
The state of Victoria has a diverse geography, with its main land feature being the Great Dividing Range, which produces a cooler, mountain climate in the centre of the state. The eastern half of Victoria is dominated by the Australian Alps and the surrounding highlands of the Great Dividing Range, which extend into the west of the state to a lesser extent. The north and northwest of the state, on the other hand, are extremely flat. Victoria's highest mountain is Mount Bogong, which stands at 1,986 metres (6,516 feet).
Victoria has a temperate climate, with mild winters along the coast, particularly around Melbourne. The coastal plain south of the Great Dividing Range has the mildest climate in the state, with air from the Southern Ocean helping to reduce the heat of summer and the cold of winter. The Mallee and upper Wimmera regions are Victoria's warmest, with hot winds blowing in from nearby semi-deserts. Rain falls most frequently in winter, but summer precipitation is heavier. Snow generally falls only in the mountains and hills in the centre of the state.
Victoria has a rich history, with Aboriginal Australian nations having occupied the land for tens of thousands of years before European settlement. The discovery of gold in Ballarat and Bendigo in the 1850s triggered one of the largest gold rushes the world has ever seen, leading to a rapid increase in Victoria's population and economic power. By 1901, Melbourne had become the largest city in Australasia and served as the seat of the Federal government until 1927. Today, Victoria continues to be an important state in Australia, with a strong economy and a diverse range of industries.
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It covers 87,806 sq mi or 227,416 sq km
Victoria, a state in southeastern Australia, covers an area of 87,806 sq mi or 227,416 sq km. It is Australia's sixth-largest state or territory, comparable in size to Great Britain or the US state of Utah. Victoria's population centres are spread out across the state, with only the far northwest and the Victorian Alps lacking permanent settlement.
The state is bound to the northwest by South Australia and directly to the north by New South Wales. It also shares a maritime border with Tasmania across the Bass Strait to the south. Most of Victoria's northern border is formed by the Murray River.
The eastern half of the state is dominated by the Australian Alps and the surrounding highlands (plateaus and hills) of the Great Dividing Range, which also extend into the west of the state to a lesser extent. The western region of Victoria is characterised by sandy deserts, such as the Big Desert, which are unsuitable for farming due to a lack of water and wind-erosion hazards.
The Victorian Alpine Region, part of the Australian Alps, is a popular destination for winter sports and bushwalking. The Central Victorian Highlands, known as the "High Country," are renowned for outdoor activities and offer a diverse range of landscapes, including alpine plateaus and sandy deserts.
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Victoria's population in 2021 was 6,503,491
Victoria, commonly abbreviated as Vic, is a state in southeastern Australia. Victoria's population in 2021 was 6,503,491. It is the second most populous state in Australia, after New South Wales, with a population of over 7 million as of 2024. Victoria is the smallest mainland state, with an area of 227,444 square kilometres, or 87,817 square miles. It is comparable in size to Great Britain or the US state of Utah.
Victoria has the highest population density in Australia, with 23.54 to 30.6 people per square kilometre, or 64 per square mile. This is due to the population being spread out over most of the state, with only the far northwest and the Victorian Alps lacking permanent settlement. The majority of the population is concentrated in the central-south area surrounding Port Phillip Bay, particularly in the metropolitan area of Greater Melbourne, the state capital and largest city. Melbourne is the second-largest city in Australia, with an estimated population of 4.17 million, accounting for 75% of Victoria's population.
Geelong is the second-largest city in Victoria, with a population of about 145,000, followed by Ballarat with 87,000 and Bendigo with 84,000. The founding Anglo-Celtic population has been supplemented by migrants from southern and eastern Europe, resulting in a culturally diverse population, with 35.1% of inhabitants being immigrants. Victoria's population growth is above the national average, with a consistent growth rate ranging from 0.35% to 2.55%, adding around 20,000 to 150,000 people each year.
The "average Victorian" is ageing, with the median age climbing from 35 to 37 between 2001 and 2011, and a predicted quarter of the population being over 60 by 2021. The top five ancestries in Victoria are English, Australian, Irish, Scottish, and Italian, with over 180 languages and dialects spoken in the state. More than 20% of Victorians speak a language other than English at home, and this number rises to almost 30% for Melburnians.
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The state has varied landscapes, from alpine plateaus to sandy deserts
The state of Victoria in Australia encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, boasting a total area of approximately 91,749 square miles or 237,629 square kilometres. Within its borders lie a variety of terrains, from majestic alpine plateaus to expansive sandy deserts, each offering its own unique beauty and ecological significance.
One of Victoria's most notable geographical features is its alpine regions, boasting majestic peaks and high-altitude plateaus. These areas present a striking contrast to the typical Australian image of sun-drenched beaches and arid deserts. The Australian Alps, located in the northeastern part of the state, include iconic peaks such as Mount Bogong, which, at 6,516 feet (1,986 meters), is Victoria's tallest mountain. These alpine regions offer a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, attracting skiers and snowboarders during the winter months and hikers and nature lovers in the warmer seasons. The alpine landscapes also provide a vital habitat for unique flora and fauna, including the famous Snowy Gum trees and delicate wildflowers that bloom amidst the rugged terrain.
In stark contrast to the alpine regions, Victoria also boasts its fair share of sandy deserts. In the state's northwest, bordering New South Wales, lies the Victorian Mallee, a semi-arid region characterised by low rainfall and an abundance of mallee eucalyptus trees. This desert region, though perhaps not as iconic as some of Australia's more famous red-sand deserts, is nonetheless ecologically important. The Mallee is known for its diverse birdlife, including rare species like the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo and Malleefowl, which depend on the unique mallee habitat for their survival.
Apart from these diverse landscapes, Victoria also features a stunning coastline along the Southern Ocean, with world-renowned surf beaches and picturesque seaside towns. The Great Dividing Range, Australia's most significant mountain range, runs through the state, offering additional ecological diversity with its rainforests and waterfalls. The state also encompasses a range of other habitats, from the fertile agricultural lands of the Gippsland region in the southeast to the semi-arid plains in the northwest, ideal for sheep and cattle grazing.
Victoria's varied landscapes are a result of its unique geographical and geological history. The state has experienced a dynamic past, with volcanic activity, tectonic movements, and climate changes shaping the land over millions of years. These factors have combined to create the diverse and breathtaking landscapes we see today.
In conclusion, the state of Victoria, Australia, presents a rich tapestry of landscapes, from the majestic heights of its alpine plateaus to the arid beauty of its sandy deserts. Each region boasts its own ecological significance, unique flora and fauna, and recreational opportunities. Victoria's geographical diversity showcases the natural wonders and varied environments that Australia has to offer. The state's landscapes truly encapsulate the country's raw beauty and natural charm.
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Victoria shares a border with South Australia and New South Wales
Victoria is the southernmost mainland state in Australia. Covering an area of 227,444 sq km (87,817 sq mi), it is the sixth-largest state/territory in the country. Victoria shares a border with South Australia to its northwest and New South Wales to its north. The state also shares a maritime border with Tasmania across the Bass Strait to the south.
The border between Victoria and South Australia has a long history. It was established in 1836 by imperial letters patent as the 141st-degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich. At the time, the land that is now Victoria was part of the colony of New South Wales, and the original border was drawn between South Australia and New South Wales. However, there was an error in establishing the position of the 141st meridian, leading to a protracted legal dispute that lasted over 75 years. The dispute resulted in the forfeiture of more than 1,300 sq km (500 sq mi) of territory from South Australia to Victoria.
The border between Victoria and New South Wales was also the subject of debate when Victoria gained its independence from New South Wales in 1851. There was much discussion about where the border should lie, with proposals ranging from natural boundaries like the Murrumbidgee River to a bearing from Cape Howe, the easternmost point of Victoria, to the nearest source of the River Murray. The latter proposal was eventually adopted, and the border was defined as running along the river's course to the border with South Australia.
The Murray River continues to play an important role in defining the borders of Victoria. The boundary between New South Wales and Victoria is marked by the top of the left bank (Victorian side) of the river. Meanwhile, the border between Victoria and South Australia is slightly under 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of the true meridian due to surveying errors when it was first defined. The three states' borders meet in the waters of the Murray River approximately 100 metres north of MacCabe Corner.
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Frequently asked questions
Victoria, Australia covers an area of 87,817 square miles or 227,444 square kilometres. This is equivalent to 56,327,040 acres.
Victoria is the sixth-largest state/territory in Australia.
The border between Victoria and New South Wales is approximately 1,065 miles or 1,715 kilometres long.
Victoria is comparable in size to the island of Great Britain or the US state of Utah.
Victoria has the highest population density of any state in Australia. Approximately 80% of its population lives around the coasts of Port Phillip Bay and, to a lesser extent, Western Port Bay in the south-central region.
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