AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
has about 380,000 residents who are mostly stationed in the Australian capital, Canberra. The territory stretches 88 kilometers from north to south and only 30 kilometers from west to east.
Before the arrival of the Europeans in 1820, this territory was inhabited by three Aboriginal tribes: Ngunval, Valgalu and Ngarigo. In 1901, a decision was made to develop the national capital territory. The move was a direct result of the Federation of Colonies in Australia.
The location of the Australian Capital Territory actually represents a compromise between two great rivals, Sydney and Melbourne. Canberra was built and set up as the capital of Australia precisely because of the impossibility of an agreement between these two cities. That explains why Canberra is right between them.
Officially, this territory received the status of an autonomous region – the federal capital territory in 1910. By the way, the parliament moved to Canberra only in 1927, and until then it was in Melbourne.
The national government and state institutions remain the main sector of this territory, but employment in the private sector has expanded significantly in the last few years and includes the production of sophisticated scientific and communication equipment, as well as computer software.
CANBERRA
is the capital of Australia and with a population of 380,000 it is the largest inland city and the eighth largest city in Australia. It was chosen as the capital in 1908 as a compromise between two great rivals, Melbourne and Sydney. It is unusual that Canberra was built as a completely planned city. Canberra gained political significance during World War II and administrative importance from the late 1940s, but its physical development did not progress much until the middle of the twentieth century. The National Capital Development Commission initiated in 1958 to start investing significantly in the infrastructure of Canberra, which resulted in an increase in the number of inhabitants, elegant buildings, beautiful parks and wide boulevards. Today, Canberra is a modern city with a cosmopolitan spirit. It offers all city services: excellent health facilities, the best roads, excellent public transport and endless bike paths.
The biggest sights of the city are: the National Museum of Australia, the Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, Lake Burley Griffin, etc.
Canberra is a city full of public institutions and services. Thanks to that, it is one of the cities with the lowest unemployment rate and, compared to other cities, it has one of the highest average earnings per capita. The main industry in the city is public administration and security, which makes up almost 30% of the total territorial gross product and employs about 33% of the total workforce of the city. In May 2012, the unemployment rate was 3.4%. The gross average weekly wage in Canberra is 1702 AUD and the national is 1485 AUD.
Interesting facts
- Land for the Australian Capital Territory (originally known as the Federal Territory of Australia) was purchased from the state of New South Wales.
- Canberra became the capital of Australia based on the rivalry of the two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. After the unification of Australia in 1901, it was decided that the capital of this country would be located between these two cities. The chosen location was 248 kilometers from Sydney and 483 kilometers from Melbourne.
- No building in the city center should have more than 13 floors due to the strict city plan (only 3 buildings on the outskirts of the city cross this border).
- Canberra is a word that means a gathering place in the Aboriginal language, although no one can confirm this theory with certainty.
- It is estimated that Canberra residents, more than any other city dweller in Australia, attend art galleries, concerts, theaters, cinemas and other art events.
- Canberra is the main center of diplomatic activity in Australia. More than 40 nations have established permanent diplomatic missions employing more than 1,200 workers. A corps of news correspondents is in Canberra to cover political and other events. Also, conventions and conferences of technical, scientific and educational groups are held from time to time. The city attracts around one million Australian and international visitors each year.
