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[[Image:Sydney.jpg]]

Sydney is a port city and the [[capital]] of the state of [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]].  It is the nation's largest city, as well as its major business centre. Sydney lies on what has been described as "the finest natural harbour in the world". Other notable natural features include many beaches (most famously Bondi Beach and Manly), several national parks, including the Royal National Park and Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, and several waterways including the St George's and Hawkesbury Rivers.  City [[landmark]]s include the [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]] and the [[Sydney Opera House]].

Sydney is a port city and the [[capital]] of the state of [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]].  It is the nation's largest city, as well as its major business centre. Sydney lies on what has been described as "the finest natural harbour in the world". Other notable natural features include many beaches (most famously Bondi Beach and Manly), several national parks, including the Royal National Park and Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, and several waterways including the St George's and Hawkesbury Rivers.  City [[landmark]]s include the [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]] and the [[Sydney Opera House]].

[[Image:Sydney.jpg|thumb|The Sydney Skyline.]]

Sydney was founded by Arthur Phillip, commander of [[Britain]]'s [[First Fleet]], in 1788 when he established the first European settlement on the contintent at the site now known as Circular Quay.  Prior to this, [[Captain Cook]] had visited Botany Bay (a few kilometres south of Sydney Harbour) in 1770 and claimed the area for the British Crown, coining the name [[New South Wales]] for the area.  After the [[American Revolutionary War|American War of Independence]], [[Britain]] decided it needed to establish new colonies to which it could send its growing number of convicts.  Thus the plan to despatch a fleet to [[New South Wales]] was drawn up.  Arriving at Botany Bay, Phillip soon recognised that the site was unsuitable for a colony due to the lack of fresh water.  The fleet moved on to [[Sydney Harbour]], which was more suitable.  Phillip named the harbour Port Jackson, which remains the official name.

Sydney was founded by Arthur Phillip, commander of [[Britain]]'s [[First Fleet]], in 1788 when he established the first European settlement on the contintent at the site now known as Circular Quay.  Prior to this, [[Captain Cook]] had visited Botany Bay (a few kilometres south of Sydney Harbour) in 1770 and claimed the area for the British Crown, coining the name [[New South Wales]] for the area.  After the [[American Revolutionary War|American War of Independence]], [[Britain]] decided it needed to establish new colonies to which it could send its growing number of convicts.  Thus the plan to despatch a fleet to [[New South Wales]] was drawn up.  Arriving at Botany Bay, Phillip soon recognised that the site was unsuitable for a colony due to the lack of fresh water.  The fleet moved on to [[Sydney Harbour]], which was more suitable.  Phillip named the harbour Port Jackson, which remains the official name.