Leslie Massey
Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own unique mix of environments, cultures, and capital cities. Canberra is the capital of Australia and the seat of the Federal Parliament. It is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city by population. The city is located in the Australian Capital Territory at the northern tip of the Australian Alps. The capital territory was established in 1908, and construction of the city began in 1911. In addition to Canberra, other capital cities in Australia include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, and Darwin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Canberra |
| Population | 473,855 (as of June 2024) |
| Median Age | 35 years |
| Percentage of Population Over 65 Years | 12.7% |
| Percentage of Residents Aged 15-74 with Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 49% |
| Crime Rate | Lowest of any Australian capital city (as of 2019) |
| Ancestry | English, Aboriginal Australian (Ngunnawal, Ngambri), etc. |
| Location | Australian Capital Territory, northeastern corner |
| Nearby Cities | Sydney, Melbourne |
| Founding | 1911 (construction began) |
| Parliament | Federal Parliament seated in Canberra |
| Institutions | Australian National Institutions |
| Climate | Continental with seasonal and diurnal temperature variations |
| Geography | Mountainous in the south and west, with broad valleys and rounded hills in the northeast |
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What You'll Learn
Canberra is the capital city of Australia
In 1901, the federation of the colonies of Australia was achieved, and a temporary national capital was established in Melbourne. In 1908, it was determined that the capital would be in the Canberra-Yass district, with access to the sea. The federal government began acquiring the land for the city in 1911, and the parliament moved from Melbourne to the first Parliament House in 1927. The city's design was awarded to Walter Burley Griffin, a Chicago architect influenced by the English garden city movement.
Canberra has the lowest rate of crime of any Australian capital city as of 2019. It is home to Australia's national institutions and the Federal Parliament. The city is described as having a relatively young, highly mobile, and well-educated population. Canberra is also known for its charitable giving, with residents donating significantly more money to charity than Australians in other states and territories.
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Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory
Canberra is the capital of Australia. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), in the southeast of the Australian mainland. The ACT is an internal territory of Australia, situated within the state of New South Wales (NSW).
Canberra is the territory's primate city, and the majority of the territory's population resides there. The territory also includes towns such as Williamsdale, Oaks Estate, Uriarra, Tharwa and Hall, as well as the Namadgi National Park. The ACT has a relatively dry, continental climate, with warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters.
Canberra was formally founded and named in 1913, following a dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital. A compromise was reached to build the new capital in New South Wales, at least 100 miles (160 km) from Sydney. Canberra is an entirely planned city, with a design by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, chosen through an international competition. Construction began in 1913 and was completed by 1927.
Canberra is home to many important institutions of the federal government, including Parliament House, the High Court of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia, the Australian Defence Force Academy, and the headquarters of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. The ACT also hosts the majority of foreign embassies in Australia, as well as regional headquarters for many international organisations, not-for-profit groups, lobbying groups, and professional associations.
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Canberra is Australia's largest inland city
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. It is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory at the northern tip of the Australian Alps, the country's highest mountain range. Canberra is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city by population, with an estimated population of 473,855 as of June 2024. The city is situated about 150 miles (240 km) inland from Australia's east coast and enjoys warm summers and cool winters with less rainfall than the surrounding highlands.
The name "Canberra" is derived from an Aboriginal term meaning "meeting place." The city has a rich history, with Aboriginal Australians inhabiting the area for up to 21,000 years before European settlement began in the first half of the 19th century. American architect Walter Burley Griffin won an international competition in 1911 to design Canberra, and construction began in 1913, completing in 1927.
Canberra is known for its low crime rate and highly educated population, with the highest proportion of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher among all Australian states and territories. The city is home to significant institutions such as Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the Australian National University, and the Royal Australian Mint. It also hosts foreign embassies and the headquarters of various international organisations.
Canberra has been recognised as one of the world's best cities to live in and visit. In 2014, it was named the best city to live in the world by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and it boasts a diverse range of cultural and natural attractions, including museums, galleries, and nearby mountain ranges.
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Canberra is home to Australia's national institutions
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. It is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city by population. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory at the northern tip of the Australian Alps. Canberra was founded following the federation of the six Australian colonies as the seat of government for the new nation.
Canberra is also the major centre for social and cultural institutions of national significance. Its constellation of major cultural institutions means that Canberrans enjoy access to a wide range of exhibitions and events. As the centre of national politics, Canberra houses the national headquarters of each of the major political parties, as well as organised national groups such as the National Farmers Federation and the Returned & Services League.
Canberra has the lowest rate of crime of any Australian capital city as of 2019. A 2024 report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that 49% of ACT residents aged 15–74 held a bachelor's degree or higher, the highest proportion among all Australian states and territories. Canberrans are relatively young, with a median age of 35 years and only 12.7% of the population aged over 65.
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Canberra is one of the world's youngest capital cities
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. It is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory, at the northern tip of the Australian Alps, the country's highest mountain range. The city was founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation. It is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest Australian city by population. As of June 2024, Canberra's estimated population was 473,855.
The city's location was chosen for its proximity to the Australian Alps, which provide a backdrop of snow-capped mountains during much of the winter. The city itself rarely receives snow, but its cool winters and warm summers make it a pleasant place to live. Canberra has the lowest rate of crime of any Australian capital city as of 2019, and its residents are well-educated, with a high proportion holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
The name "Canberra" is derived from an Aboriginal term meaning "meeting place." The area chosen for the capital had been inhabited by Aboriginal Australians for up to 21,000 years, including groups such as the Ngunnawal and Ngambri. European settlement began in the first half of the 19th century, with landmarks such as St John's Anglican Church and Blundells Cottage still standing today.
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Frequently asked questions
The capital of Australia is Canberra.
Canberra is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city by population. It is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory at the northern tip of the Australian Alps. The city has a low crime rate and a well-educated population.
Canberra was founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation. The site was chosen in 1908, and construction began in 1911.
