This extraordinary place is impossible to imagine, one can only dream of it. Australia is both a continent and a land at the same time. People have been dreaming about this land for hundreds of years, and it was this land that made them cheerful, open and at the same time mysterious. All who began to live on this continent struggled with the elements for survival, and it was this struggle that became their religion. The whole of Australia is the opposite, where badlands and fertile lands are combined, a place of games and a battlefield. The modern nation is only 200 years old, but people have existed on this earth for more than 40 thousand years.

very far away country

Australia occupies the 6th place in the world in terms of size, it is not too much and not too little, but more than 7 million square kilometers. With its size, Australia is inferior, of course, to Russia, which is the largest in the world, Canada, China, the USA and Brazil.

The next largest (in 7th place) is India and it is already 2 times smaller than Australia.

Due to its vastness, including in relation to the countries of Oceania, of which it occupies 1st place, there are significant problems with settlement, or rather with the number

It is not regrettable, but the country occupies almost the last place in the world in terms of human population, overtaking only Namibia and Mongolia. The country has a population of 2.8 people per square kilometer.

First of all, this affects the huge deserts, which occupy 44% of the entire territory, which are located in the north-west of the continent and are located in two climatic zones - tropical and subtropical. At the same time, that water on the surface of the land occupies only 1%

However, to a greater extent, its distant location from the main world players: Europe and America ranks 2nd in the world in terms of human development index (life expectancy, literacy, education and standard of living) and 16th in the world in terms of the country's GDP. Indeed, all these indicators are directly related to the close relationship with the UK.

Center of the country

Speaking about Australia, not everyone will be able to immediately say which city is its capital. Probably most people will say that this is Sydney. First of all, this is due to the awareness of the Summer Olympic Games held in this city in 2000.

However, the capital of the Commonwealth of Australia is the city of Canberra, which is the largest in the country. Unlike large cities, it is not located on the coast, but at a considerable distance from the ocean inland. The question of which city will be the capital of Sydney or Melbourne has been going on since the middle of the 19th century. However, the decision came unexpectedly. The region of New South Wales was chosen as the capital, where the city of Canberra began to be built from the beginning of the 20th century.

Interestingly, there was a condition that the capital should not be closer than 160 kilometers from Sydney, and Melbourne should become a transshipment base for a large construction site.

The population of the capital is about 360 thousand people, which is much more in many large cities, with the exception of such huge ones as:

All millionaire cities are located on the coast, which is very typical not only for Australia, but also for all countries where there is access to the sea or ocean. People from ancient times preferred to live by the sea or ocean. It is both prestigious and cost-effective. There are often not many people who want to live in the northern latitudes, given the choice.

City Canberra is the capital of Australia, located in the depths of the continent about 120 kilometers northwest of the coast of the Tasman Sea. For many years, the dispute between Melbourne and Sydney for the right to be called the capital continued. In order not to offend anyone, in 1908 it was decided to build a new metropolis - Canberra, which received this honorary status. The name of the city from the language of the Australian Aborigines is translated as "a place for meetings."

Among the famous architects of the world, a competition was announced for the best project. The tender was won by specialists from Chicago - Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahoney. The architectural plan was presented as a “garden city”, the concept of which included the greening of space in such a way that vast areas of natural vegetation were preserved in the capital.

Today the capital of Australia included in almost all manuals on architecture as a vivid example of a harmonious combination of pristine nature and the metropolis. In addition to walking and landscape gardening areas, the city has a large number of various museums, art galleries, and places of worship.

City of Canberra located in the zone of tropical continental climate, the characteristic features of which are frequent and sharp changes in daily temperature. The climatic conditions here can hardly be called comfortable. In summer days, the temperature ranges from +27 to +35C, while in winter there are often fogs and frosts down to -10C.

Lake Burley Griffin - the center of Canberra

The entire territory of Canberra is divided into districts, districts and quarters. Between them there are picturesque parks and alleys. In total, more than 10 million trees have been planted in the city, brought from different parts of the world. Here you can find Japanese sakura, harmoniously adjacent to Russian birch and almond tree.

Main attractions in Canberra are located in its very center, starting from the artificial lake Burley Griffin. The diamond-shaped pond, named after the architect of the city, has a fairly large depth - about 18 meters. Sailing regattas, canoeing and kayaking competitions are held here. The reservoir was formed in 1963 thanks to a dam built on the Molonglo River. Today it is not only the center of the capital, but also one of its main attractions. A huge fountain was created on the lake, throwing a column of water to a height of 147 meters, its launch was timed to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the landing of James Cook on the coast of the Australian continent.

Right on the shore of the lake, the National Carillon rises majestically. The tower, 50 meters high, was donated by the government of England in honor of the 50th anniversary of the capital of Australia. The opening was attended by the English Queen Elizabeth II.

The carillon has 55 bells of different sizes and weights. During the river walk, you can hear various pieces of music performed with the help of bells.

High Court of Australia and Commonwealth Park

The modern building of the High Court of Australia with its extraordinary design is hard to miss. The structure of glass and concrete rises on the shore of the lake and is a multiple winner of numerous architectural competitions. The glass fragments of the walls symbolize the transparency of the Australian judicial system, so anyone can attend any trial. The doors of the High Court are open to visitors on weekdays, admission is free.

Around Lake Burley Griffin there is a park zone, which occupies a total of more than 3 thousand square kilometers. Some parks included in this zone were specially designed as recreational areas, for example, Weston Park, Kings Park, Lennox Gardens, Commonwealth Park.

Situated on the north side of the lake, Commonwealth Park is a popular recreational spot for locals.A large number of various sculptures are installed on its territory, pedestrian paths and bicycle routes are equipped. The park lawns are sown with soft grass, electric barbecues are installed, and places for swimming are equipped. Every year Canberra hosts the Floriada Flower Festival, the largest event of its kind in the world. Between September and October, the beds of the Commonwealth Park are transformed into paintings with various subjects, using more than one million fresh flowers instead of paint.

Memorials and museums of the Australian capital

In 1970, exactly 200 years after James Cook first saw the shores of the Australian continent, a memorial was unveiled in Canberra in his honor. The opening was attended by Queen Elizabeth II of England. The James Cook Memorial is set on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and is a globe on which all the routes and discoveries of the famous navigator are marked.

One of the most visited places in the city Canberra is an Australian war memorial dedicated to the events of the First World War and the inhabitants of the continent who became its victims. The troops of the Australian continent suffered the main damage in the last century, in 1916, in battles in France. The memorial complex, which includes a sculpture garden, the tomb of the unknown soldier, and an exhibition dedicated to military nurses, was opened in 1941. The memorial presents military relics, weapons and uniforms from two world wars, dioramas and models of equipment. A fascinating guided tour will allow you to better understand the role of Australian soldiers in military events.

Thanks to the efforts of the Australian government, the capital of Canberra has become a real focus of art galleries and museums. Almost all the old mansions and estates were purchased, and museum exhibitions were created within their walls. One of these objects was Blundell's Cottage, built in the middle of the 19th century. The building gives a clear idea of ​​the life and culture of the first settlers who moved to the continent from Europe. Today, there are no longer those agricultural buildings around the cottage, and modern offices and houses have been erected nearby.

In the suburb of Acton there is another major museum complex - the National Museum of Australia. In its exhibition pavilions, aboriginal cultural items are presented, the history of which goes back about 50 thousand years. There is also a pavilion dedicated to the Sydney Olympics and a pavilion where you can get acquainted with the history of the country after 1788.

Within the walls of the museum there is a collection of drawings of local peoples made on tree bark, as well as stone tools. The postmodern building, with an area of ​​about 7,000 square meters, consists of separate rooms, interconnected in a semicircle. In 2005-2006, the museum was recognized as the country's most important tourist attraction.

Australian Government House and Questacon

The Government House is the official residence of the Governor General of the Continent. The house, located in the suburbs of the capital, is surrounded by more than 50 hectares of parkland. This is the most prestigious and expensive area, where most of the foreign embassies are located. The residence often hosts receptions of distinguished guests and various festive events.

The project of the house belongs to the American architect Walter Burley Griffin. According to the plan, it was supposed to be surrounded by fountains and ponds, but not all ideas could be realized. The main part of the building was built in the Victorian style. Ornamental shrubs, eucalyptus and cedars are planted on the garden plot.

Questacon is another interesting attraction in Canberra, located on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. The National Science and Technology Center is especially popular with children, as everything is done to spark interest in science in young visitors.

The purpose of the Questacon is to convey to society the importance of technical and scientific discoveries, and most importantly, to do it in an interesting way. Therefore, everyone can take part in games and experiments. The center is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. A visit will cost from 17.5 dollars.

Situated among the hills of a picturesque valley, the capital of Australia is surrounded by dense forests of eucalyptus trees. Locals refer to Canberra as the "forest capital" as the city's neighborhoods include significant areas of natural vegetation. The city was conceived as a garden city and, indeed, there are more green areas here than anywhere else; for four hundred inhabitants, 8 million trees grow in the city.

Canberra was built for more than half a century, and before that, another 10 years were choosing a place for construction. The decision to build a new city and call it the capital arose after many years of serious disputes and disagreements between the two largest and most significant cities in Australia - Sydney and Melbourne. The government opened an international competition for the best design for the new city, which was won by the American architect W. B. Griffin. According to his plan, the Parliament was to become the center of the city, and the system of circular and radial wide streets radiating from the center was to connect it with residential areas. Construction began in 1913. Unfortunately, not all the ideas of Griffin's progressive plan were implemented; disappointed with the results of construction and interference from local officials, the author of the project resigned in 1920.

The Molonglo River flows through Canberra, on which a dam was built to form the artificial lake Burley Griffin. Prior to the construction of this dam, the population of the surrounding hills suffered from severe floods every year during the rainy season, and the city was flooded. Built largely according to the Griffin Plan, the city's downtown area is traversed by a freeway that is part of the "Y-Plan" - a city development program in which commercial and retail areas are interconnected by freeways. The layout of these areas, urban centers, resembles the shape of the letter Y. Canberra consists of seven districts, each of which has a center, suburbs, villages and industrial areas.

Most of the city's population is young people, the average age of a resident of Canberra is 32 years. They are mostly natives of Australia, and only a fifth of them are immigrants. The capital has the highest per capita income, low unemployment and the highest rents. Residents are employed mainly in government and defense industries, as well as in software companies.

Canberra has many national museums, historical and national monuments, art and art galleries, theaters and music collections. Very interesting to visit.

Canberra is the capital of Australia. The city, which is located in the center of the continent, but despite this, surrounded by colorful nature and picturesque landscapes.

The city is a little over a hundred years old, but it is enough modern and developed, so the number of people wishing to move to Canberra for permanent residence is growing every year.

Canberra was founded in 1908. Before the construction of the city began on this site, the indigenous people of Australia lived here.

In 1820 residents of European countries came to Canberra for permanent residence. Three years later, a sheep farm and a homestead were present in Canberra.

All 19th century the future capital of Australia was inhabited by European residents, and the population grew every year.

When early 20th century there was a question of choosing a new capital of the continent, Canberra was out of the question. The main contenders for this title were such cities as Melbourne and Sydney.

After long disputes between these then largest Australian cities, it was decided to build a new city, which will become the capital of Australia. It was from this moment that the development of Canberra began. Already in 1913 this city acquired the status of the capital, and the government moved here in 1927.

It is important to know! A powerful economic leap in the history of Canberra occurred after the Second World War.

Today the city of Canberra is one of the most original and convenient cities Australia. As for the name, it comes from the Aboriginal word 'kanbarra' which means 'meeting place' or 'meeting place'.

Geographic location and climate of the city

The area of ​​Canberra is 814.2 km². The city is located in the southeast of the country, near the mountains of Brindabella. To the coast - 150 km.

The territory of Canberra is located on a hilly plain. The highest point in the capital Mount Majura. The city is surrounded by eucalyptus forests and ponds.

Molonglo is a river that flows through Canberra and is dammed to help keep a sufficient level of water in an artificial central lake called Burley Griffin.

Climate of Canberra tropical continental. That is why the temperature can change significantly during the day. Summer in Canberra (December, January and February) is hot. The temperature fluctuates from +20 to +27 °C.

As for the winter, which takes place here in June, July and August, at this time of the year the thermometer column can drop even down to -10°С. The foothills are covered with snow in winter. It rains in spring and summer. In general, there are about a hundred rainy days in Canberra a year.

Transport

In Canberra, locals mostly drive their own private cars. The road system is good here. and the traffic is circular.

Those who prefer to ride bikes in the Australian capital also feel at ease, as bike paths are everywhere.

Those who do not have their own transport use public transport. So, the most popular way to travel in Canberra are buses of the company "Action". The route network covers both the city center and its suburbs.

Also in Canberra you can take a taxi. Prices are reasonable, and you can call a car by phone or by catching a car on the street.

City layout

Since Canberra was built with the expectation that it would become the capital, this city is the most thoughtful.

The interesting layout of Canberra was designed by one of the most famous American architects of the 20th century. Walter Burley Griffin.

Central part of the city built on a ring system. There are two axes: land and water.

The rest of the city is based on three hills: Black Mountain, Bimberi and Ainsley.

Canberra has a certain structure: urban centers, counties, industrial villages and districts, and suburbs. The city has seven districts:

• North Canberra;
• Weston Creek;
• Tuggeranong;
• Woden Valley;
• Belconnen;
• South Canberra;
• Gangalin.

Unusual is also separate themed streets. For example, the streets in the Duffy area are named after Australian dams and levees, and the streets in the Page area are named after famous naturalists and biologists.

Population of Canberra

Lives in Canberra almost 400 thousand people. Indigenous people in the capital live a little more than 1%. Most of the population is made up of people who were born outside the continent. The average age of Canberran residents is thirty-two.

Lives in the city a large number of immigrants from the UK, New Zealand, Italy, Vietnam and Germany. In recent years, people from South and East Asia have been coming to Canberra for permanent residence.

It is important to know! There are many Russian-speaking residents in Canberra - several hundred people.

The capital of Australia, Canberra, with a young population, is a city that has managed to become a progressive and highly developed metropolis in its short history. Here high quality of life, convenient transport system, comfortable accommodation and, of course, picturesque Australian nature!

In conclusion, we invite you to look breathtaking video about the capital of Australia - Canberra:

Despite its small population (slightly more than 334,000 people), Canberra is the capital of Australia, which arose as a result of the struggle for the title of the capital city of the two cities of Sydney and Melbourne, which are major cultural and economic centers of the country. American architect Walter Burley Griffin developed a project that won an international competition. In this project, everything necessary for the capital city, which was built in the late 20s of the last century, was developed.

Now the capital of Australia has become an amazing elegant city full of verdant parks and fragrant gardens. It is harmonious and perfectly thought out. It was originally built according to a well-defined scheme and therefore is considered a city of order. The real ones come close to Canberra and in order to get out into nature, residents and guests of the city need very little time. The famous Australian beaches are only two hours drive from the city centre. Also nearby is Australia's only ski resort, Thredbo, located on the Snowy Mountains. More than 30 wineries operate in the city itself.

The city of Canberra has a unique population, as a high percentage of its residents have a university degree. The city is home to the Australian National Gallery, which has one of the largest collections in the southern hemisphere, with over 70,000 works of art. A common characteristic of Australia - a green continent, is fully confirmed by the appearance of its capital. It looks like a small town, lost among the vast rural spaces.

The capital of Australia has many attractions. On the area of ​​50 hectares on the slopes of the Black Mountain there is the National Botanical Garden. It contains more than 6,000 representatives of the unique Australian flora, which serve as "live" exhibits here. Of particular interest to tourists is the garden, which contains local plants used by the natives for medicinal purposes, and a unique eucalyptus grove. About 12 million trees grow in the city itself, collected from various parts of the world. Here, along with the usual local eucalyptus trees, you can find Russian birch, Japanese sakura, almonds, plane trees and various species of coniferous trees.

Before the arrival of Europeans in 1820, in the area where Canberra is now located, only two tribes of local aborigines lived, which were called Ngunnawal and Valhallu. Of the Europeans, the Joshua family was the first to settle here. On his initiative, a sheep farm was built here in 1924. Another well-known settler in these places was a merchant from Sydney, Robert Campbell. He and his family helped other settlers and provided them with jobs. The house of Robert Campbell has survived to this day; it now houses the Royal Military College. Also known is another family of settlers - Murray. Their former homestead called Yarralumla is now the residence of the Governor General of Australia.

The capital of Australia has many original buildings and structures that are its main attractions. In the very center is the "parliamentary triangle". In its center is the Commonwealth of Australia, it has the shape of a boomerang. Its front terrace is decorated with a huge mosaic, which was laid out by the local Papua natives. Also in the center of the city in the large artificial lake Burley Griffin, a jet of a huge fountain named after Captain Cook beats. The Supreme Court, the National Gallery and the National Library are also located here. Among the original buildings, one can single out the Carillon Belfry Tower and the building of the Australian Academy of Sciences.