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Australian Capital Territory
AREA: 2,358 sq. km.,
POPULATION: 314,171 (2001)
CAPITAL: Canberra (300,000)
LOCATION: In the South-eastern area of New South Wales.
CLIMATE:
Highest temp. 42.2° C and -11 °, both recorded in Canberra. The
ACT has a high rainfall with cold spells in winter due to its proximity to the
Australian Alps.
The Federation of Australian States came to fruition in 1901 and until then
the representatives of the various states met in Melbourne, Victoria. The site
for Canberra was chosen in 1908, resolving a long running debate about where
the National Capital should be located. Main rivals were Sydney and Melbourne,
and the midway choice of The A.C.T. and Canberra was a diplomatic compromise.
A feature of the city is Lake Burley Griffin, named after the city's architect.
It was not until 1927 the first parliament sat in Canberra in the old Parliament
House, which was replaced in 1988 by a new building behind it.
Besides being the parliamentary capital of Australia, Canberra is also
the repository of much of its history and art.
Only 60 kilometres from the Hume Highway
between Melbourne and Sydney, and 270 from Sydney, it has a large domestic
airport and daily train and coach services.
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