🤔 Today's Trivia Question:

What is the capital city of Australia?

Correct Answer: D) Canberra

🎉 Discover Canberra: Australia’s Capital and Largest Inland City

Canberra, the capital city of Australia, was founded following the federation of the Australian colonies as the nation's seat of government. It is the largest inland city in Australia and the eighth-largest overall, with an estimated population of 466,566 as of June 2023. Canberra is situated at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory, at the northern tip of the Australian Alps, the highest mountain range in the country.

The area designated for the capital has a rich history, having been inhabited by Aboriginal Australians for up to 21,000 years, including groups such as the Ngunnawal, Ngunawal, and Ngambri. European settlement began in the first half of the 19th century, marked by landmarks like St John's Anglican Church and Blundells Cottage. After Australia federated on January 1, 1901, a prolonged debate over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital resulted in a compromise: the new capital would be built in New South Wales, at least 100 miles from Sydney. The city of Canberra was founded and officially named in 1913.

The city's layout was selected from an international design contest and created by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Their plan, featuring geometric motifs, was centered on axes aligned with significant topographical landmarks such as Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie, Capital Hill, and City Hill. Canberra's location is unique among Australian cities for its mountainous surroundings, which can offer views of snow-capped mountains in winter, although snow in the city itself is rare.

Canberra is highly regarded as one of the world's best cities to live in and visit. While the Commonwealth Government remains the largest employer, other industries such as health care, professional services, education and training, retail, accommodation and food services, and construction have flourished. The city boasts a lower unemployment rate and higher average income compared to national averages. The population is also younger and more educated, with a significant portion, 32% at the 2016 Census, being born overseas.