What is the Capital of Australia?
The official and political capital of Australia is Canberra. Canberra is the largest city in the interior of the country. The Commonwealth of Australia was founded in 1901, the choice of the capital pitted the rival cities of Sydney and Melbourne so strongly against each other that the federal government decided to build it halfway, in the Molonglo Valley and in the hills of Canberra, an Aboriginal name meaning “meeting place”.
History of Australia’s capital
Australia officially became an independent state in 1901. It was therefore necessary to choose a capital. The discussions obviously started a few years ago in order to define the capital of Australia.
A little throwback to the past. Around 1840, Sydney was predestined to one day become the Australian capital. Sydney was the administrative center. But the gold rush upset this predestined. Indeed, the population migrated to Melbourne, even overtaking Sydney in 1860. Melbourne grew very quickly and its financial growth was enormous thanks to gold.
As the city can now rival Sydney in terms of population and economy, it requires new administrative powers.
At the time of the first discussions on the choice of the Australian capital, no one agreed: Melbourne or Sydney?
After multiple negotiations, the choice is to create an entirely new capital thanks to the referendum adopted in 1899. This referendum specified that it would be built in New South Wales and that the interim capital would be Melbourne .
After several ballots, the Yass-Canberra region was chosen as the site for the construction of the Australian capital. The city will later become Canberra which means “gathering places”.
The choice of the official name took place in March 1913 and construction began immediately. The construction project was entrusted to Walter Burley Griffin, originally from Chicago, who won the international architectural competition.
Canberra officially became the seat of government in 1927 when the Provisional Parliament Building was opened.
Climate in Canberra
- Summer temperatures vary between high temperatures. Although the temperature does not reach 40 degrees Celsius.
- While the capital is cool in winter especially early in the morning, it is blown by wind, frost and fog.
- And the temperature in winter exceeds 0 ° C.
- The average rainfall on the area is about 630 mm per year, and snow falls are rare in the city.
- It may occur at most twice a year.
Economy of Australia
After referring to Canberra to answer the question: “What is the capital of Australia?”.
Those that have long been seen as a rich and densely populated country. With diverse natural resources.
Its economy also depends on many areas as follows:
Agriculture:
- Australia relies heavily on agriculture, which was a key feature of the Australian economy during the first century of Australian settlement.
- At that time wool exports were very popular.
- Products such as wheat, beef, lamb, dairy products, and various crops were also important.
- But the greatest importance was agriculture, but because of the growth of manufacturing and other service industries.
- Especially because of the astonishing development of mineral mining after World War II, dependence on agriculture has declined.
Mining:
- Mining is an important part of the Australian economy, and there are many concerns in this area including the high percentage of foreign ownership.
- And control them, the negative impact of mining on the environment and the rapid increase in mining speeds that may deplete reserves.
- Mechanical cutting techniques predominate in massive coal mining operations in Queensland.
Industries:
Australia developed its first manufacturing industries, it has to provide food, housing and clothing to the domestic market.
By the end of World War II, industry had contributed more than a quarter of Australia’s GDP.
Population in Canberra
Canberra is called the City of Youth. The proportion of young people over the age of 18 represents 40% of the population. The elderly over the age of 65 represent only 3%. With most of the youth of the surrounding rural areas. Migrating in search of work or study. This has led to Canberra becoming Australia’s largest city in terms of population growth. 39% of the city’s workforce is employed in non-governmental jobs.
Canberra Landmarks
The city of Canberra has a large number of landmarks. such as: the Australian National Hall of Art. The National Library with about two million books, the War Museum. The Zoo, the Royal Australian Currency Deed House. The Royal War College. The Parliament, and a collection of botanical gardens.
