Difference between revisions of "Sydney"
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Sydney's metropolitan area has about 4.3 million inhabitants and ranks 67 in the world. Sydney is the 9th largest urban area on [[Earth]] in size (12.100 km<sup>2</sup>), spreading over 300 different [[suburb]]s. It is about the same size as [[Los Angeles]] in area, but has only about a third its [[population]]. | Sydney's metropolitan area has about 4.3 million inhabitants and ranks 67 in the world. Sydney is the 9th largest urban area on [[Earth]] in size (12.100 km<sup>2</sup>), spreading over 300 different [[suburb]]s. It is about the same size as [[Los Angeles]] in area, but has only about a third its [[population]]. | ||
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| + | The inhabitant of Sydney are call themselves ''Sydneysiders''. The centre of Sydney is called ''CBD'', an abbreviation for Central Business District. Most Sydney landmarks, such as the [[Sydney Opera House| Opera House]], the [[Sydney Tower]], the Queen Victoria Building, and Darling Harbour and Hyde Park, are in or right next to CBD. The rest of the metropolitan falls into three parts: The ''North Shore'' is an affluent residential area north of the harbour. The ''Eastern suburbs'' east of CBD contains famous beach suburbs such as Bondi, affluent residential areas such as Woolhara and Double Bay, as well as mostly urban areas. The ''Western suburbs'' are a mostly suburban residential area that stretches fro CBD to the Blue Mountains National Park. The Western Suburbs are known for its communities of recent immigrants, especially from the [[Middle East]]. | ||
Sydney is a hotbed of [[rugby league]] and other sports, and the city successfully hosted the [[Olympics|Summer Olympic Games]] in 2000. | Sydney is a hotbed of [[rugby league]] and other sports, and the city successfully hosted the [[Olympics|Summer Olympic Games]] in 2000. | ||
Revision as of 05:02, May 27, 2007
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 landmarks include the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
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 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's metropolitan area has about 4.3 million inhabitants and ranks 67 in the world. Sydney is the 9th largest urban area on Earth in size (12.100 km2), spreading over 300 different suburbs. It is about the same size as Los Angeles in area, but has only about a third its population.
The inhabitant of Sydney are call themselves Sydneysiders. The centre of Sydney is called CBD, an abbreviation for Central Business District. Most Sydney landmarks, such as the Opera House, the Sydney Tower, the Queen Victoria Building, and Darling Harbour and Hyde Park, are in or right next to CBD. The rest of the metropolitan falls into three parts: The North Shore is an affluent residential area north of the harbour. The Eastern suburbs east of CBD contains famous beach suburbs such as Bondi, affluent residential areas such as Woolhara and Double Bay, as well as mostly urban areas. The Western suburbs are a mostly suburban residential area that stretches fro CBD to the Blue Mountains National Park. The Western Suburbs are known for its communities of recent immigrants, especially from the Middle East.
Sydney is a hotbed of rugby league and other sports, and the city successfully hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 2000.
