| − | Sydney was founded by [[Arthur Phillip]], commander of [[Britain]]'s [[First Fleet]], in 1788 when he established the first European settlement on the continent 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]]. 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 dispatch 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]], on 26th January 1788 when he established the first European settlement on the continent at the site now known as Circular Quay. Prior to this, lieutenant [[James Cook]] had visited Botany Bay (a few kilometres south of Sydney Harbour) in 1770 and later claimed the whole of the east coast of the continent - then known as [[New Holland]] - for the British Crown, coining the name [[New South Wales]]. 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 dispatch 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. |