Australia's Capital City: Canberra and Its History
Canberra is the capital city of Australia, located in the Australian Capital Territory in the south-eastern part of the country. It is the largest inland city in Australia, with a population of more than 400,000 people. Canberra is a planned city, designed in 1913 by American architect Walter Burley Griffin. It was chosen as the capital of Australia in 1908 as a compromise between the two main cities of Melbourne and Sydney.
The history of Canberra can be traced back to the early 19th century when it was inhabited by the Ngunnawal people, who were part of the larger Ngunnawal Nation. The area was first explored by Europeans in 1820, when Charles Throsby and Joseph Wild explored the area. The first European settlement in the Canberra region was established in 1824, when a military outpost was established at what is now known as Acton.
The area was initially known as the Canberra District, and was used as a grazing area for sheep. In 1838, the district was renamed the Queanbeyan District, after the nearby town of Queanbeyan. The area was declared a municipality in 1889, and the first mayor of the Queanbeyan District was elected in 1890.
In 1908, the Commonwealth of Australia was formed, and the Australian Capital Territory was created with the purpose of selecting a permanent capital city for the nation. The competition to select the nation's capital was won by American architect Walter Burley Griffin, who designed the city of Canberra. The city was officially named Canberra in 1913, and construction of the city began in 1914.
The city of Canberra has grown steadily since its foundation, with the population increasing from just over 4,000 in 1921 to more than 400,000 in 2020. The city is home to some of Australia's most important government institutions, including Parliament House, the High Court of Australia, and the Australian National University. The city is also home to many cultural institutions, including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of Australia, and the Australian War Memorial.
Canberra is an important cultural and political centre in Australia, and it is home to many of the nation's most important institutions. It is a vibrant and dynamic city, with a rich history and vibrant culture.