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| − | The '''Australian Capital Territory''' (ACT) is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of [[Australia]] and its smallest self-governing internal territory. It is an inland enclave in [[New South Wales]], situated in bushland. It was created to be a neutral location for the Autralian National captial after discussions between [[Melbourne]] and [[Sydney]] could not determine which city should be the capital. The Territory is approximately 180 miles (280 kilometres) southwest of [[Sydney]], and 400 miles (650 kilometres) north-east of Melbourne. To avoid speculation on the land in the Territory, all land in the ACT is held on 99 year crown leases. | + | The '''Australian Capital Territory''' (ACT) is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of [[Australia]] and its smallest self-governing internal territory. It is an inland enclave in [[New South Wales]], situated on what was formerly land occupied by an Australian Aboriginal tribe known as the Ngunnawal people and from the 1820s occupied by white settlers who grazed sheep and cattle. |
| − | <br> The Capital of Australia, [[Canberra]] is located entirely with the ACT which makes up 99.7% of the Population.
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| | + | The ACT was created to be a neutral location for the Autralian national captial after discussions between [[Melbourne]] and [[Sydney]] could not determine which city should be the capital. The Territory is approximately 180 miles (280 kilometres) southwest of [[Sydney]], and 400 miles (650 kilometres) north-east of Melbourne. To avoid speculation on the land in the Territory, all land in the ACT is held on 99 year crown leases. |
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| | + | The Capital city of Australia, [[Canberra]], is located entirely with the ACT. Canberra comprises 99.7% of the ACT population, the remainder being in several villages and those living on farming leases. Around two-thirds of ACT land is the Namadgi National Park, that borders the Kosciuszko National Park which contains the majority of Australia's snow skiing fields. |
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| | + | ==Jervis Bay Territory== |
| | + | A second portion of the Australian Capital Territory is at Jervis Bay near Nowra, New South Wales. Jervis Bay was intended to be a port for the Capital, but this was not developed as such; however, the [[Royal Australian Navy]]'s officer college, HMAS Creswell, was established there and this remains, along with a satellite airfield of the Navy's air base, HMAS Albatross, near Nowra. |
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| | [[Category:Australia]] | | [[Category:Australia]] |