Australia is a state that is located in the Southern Hemisphere and occupies an entire continent. It is the only state that does not have land borders with any other. The continent, which has the same name as the state, is located near New Zealand and Indonesia. Official name This country is the Commonwealth of Australia.

Australia's appeal lies in its contradictions. Along with the fact that it is a developed country and occupies a leading position in economic development among the countries of the world, the indigenous population in its original form is still preserved on its territory. It is also distinguished by the presence of unusual flora and fauna.

Flag

The Australian flag has a blue background, in the upper left corner is the British flag, and below it are 6 white stars. The white stars symbolize the Southern Cross constellation, one large star with seven rays represents the six states of Australia, and the seventh ray speaks of the outer territories. The colors of the flag follow the colors of the flag of Great Britain.

Coat of arms

The Australian coat of arms is a combination of references to fauna and geographical features. At the top are the coats of arms of the first three Australian states, and at the bottom are three more. Above the shield is the same seven-sided star as on the flag. It denotes the number of states and surrounding territories.

The shield is supported by an emu and a light brown kangaroo. They are considered unofficial representatives of the country, which is understandable, because these animals are strongly associated in the minds with the Commonwealth of Australia. The shield itself is divided into six parts, bordered with silver thread and decorated with fourteen black crosses. Division into parts implies division into states. In the lower position of the coat of arms you can see a scroll on which the name of the nation is indicated.

Language and currency

English is the official language of the country, but the territory is inhabited by tribes that have their own local languages.

The Australian dollar is the only currency in the world that is produced using special thin plastic.

Australian cities

Australian cities consistently emerge as the best cities for people to live in. There are 89 cities in Australia, the largest of which is Sydney. He is seaport international class and famous for its attractions.

Canberra

The capital of Australia is the city of Canberra, although it is not the largest in size or population in the country. About 350,000 citizens live there. This city became the capital largely due to the fact that it was specially artificially created at an equal distance from Sydney and Melbourne in order to put an end to the claims of these major cities for the title of capital.

The city has become the embodiment of the idea of ​​a garden city. It is called the forest capital of the country, there is a lot of greenery there. The architecture fits well into the landscape; it gives the impression of a most convenient city to live in. The city houses parliament buildings, trade missions, embassies, main newspaper editorial offices, offices, a museum, educational establishments. Canberra's attractions include:

  • Theater Center.
  • National Museum of the country.
  • Dinosaur Museum.
  • Memorial dedicated to James Cook.
  • Namaji is a national park.
  • Tidbinbilla is a wildlife park.

Sydney

About five and a half million people live in this city. It is the capital of one of the states and has earned the right to be called the financial and intellectual capital of Australia. Many people who are just getting acquainted with the history of the country are surprised that this city did not become the capital of the entire country. The largest port of the Commonwealth of Australia is located here, the airport receives large international flights. Many people, when they come to Sydney, fall in love with Australia and stay here forever. This is a very beautiful and comfortable city to live in. It was founded as the first European colony and was named after a British minister who did much for the colony. The city has a successful geographical location, it is located in a valley, bounded by mountain ranges, and the sea stretches along one of its sides. The city brings together many nationalities and many cultures. It is unique in its content with different world ideas about the universe.

There are many places in Sydney that are visited by tourists:

  • The Sydney Opera House is a unique and inimitable creation of a Danish architect. It generates controversy and amazes the eye. Built to house an Opera House, as well as a concert hall and a drama theatre. This structure represents the entire country in various images that are distributed throughout the world.
  • Museum of Australia. A large number of works are stored here artistic arts and other items that tell about history and cultural heritage countries.
  • TV tower. Tourists really like this place. Its height is about 250 meters, there are souvenir shops and restaurants, and there is also an observation deck from which you can see the entire city.
  • Aquarium. This unique underwater structure includes tunnels that allow you to see the seabed and monitor the life of its inhabitants.
  • Harbor Bridge. This is a famous arch bridge in Sydney.

Melbourne

The second largest city in the country, it is home to about four and a half million inhabitants. It is also the state capital and is located in the southeastern part of the country. It is considered an industrial and cultural center. Economic forums and industrial events of global scale often take place here. In 1959, this city hosted the Olympic Games; all buildings for these major sporting events were preserved and are still in use.

Melbourne is home to art galleries that are widely known throughout the world.

  • The gallery of world art features paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens, as well as all sorts of works from ancient civilizations.
  • The Eureka Tower has an observation deck at an altitude of 285 meters. From there you have breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains.
  • The Melbourne Concert Hall is another piece of innovative architecture. The forms of this structure are embodied using glass and concrete.
  • Phillip Island is a theme park.

Melbourne amazes with its beauty and evening views. Illumination in the city is another one of its business card. In the mornings and evenings there is a penguin parade in Melbourne, and in the south there is a park where koalas live.

The Great Ocean Road begins from Melbourne; it looks like it is cut out of the rocks, which gives it a terrifying appearance.

Brisbane

The city has up to two million inhabitants. The capital of the state, political summits and meetings of scientists from around the world are often held here. The city has many business centers, hotels and entertainment parks. This main airport countries. There are a lot of parks in Brisbane, but they combine well with... modern architecture Ouch.

Places to visit:

  • Amusement park "Big Pineapple". This park has a unique pineapple plantation, which is open to tourists.
  • A park home to Australia's favorite animal, koalas.
  • Queensland Museum. There are many artifacts here that testify to the life of the country's indigenous population - the aborigines.

Perth

A city with a population of two million people. Located in Western Australia on the Indian Ocean. It is in ninth place on the list of cities that seem to be the most comfortable to live in.

There is a lot to visit here:

  • The Koala Sanctuary is a place where tourists are allowed to hold and feed a koala.
  • Perth Zoo is one of the oldest in Australia and houses a wide variety of species, all of which live in comfortable conditions.
  • A rock wave is a rock formation that resembles sea waves in its appearance. In different lighting they take on bizarre appearances.

Adelaide

City in southern Australia. It has a little over one million inhabitants. Administrative buildings here are multi-story, but ordinary residential complexes rarely have more than two floors. The city is filled with parks and fancy artificial ponds. Here you can visit unique places:

  • Winemaking center. There is a wine museum and tasting rooms here. Wines are collected from all states of the country and their own varieties are produced.
  • Kangaroo Island. Excursions are organized from the city that take tourists by sea to the island with wild nature.
  • Tanzania. This Cultural Center built for the Aboriginal people.

Growth of cities and development of the country

Cities in Australia are growing rapidly and the population is increasing. The fact that Australia is one of the most environmentally friendly places in the world attracts many people to relocate. Newcastle is approaching millionaire cities in terms of its population. The culture of the entire country and its multinationality seem to be very interesting for tourists, which helps to develop and saturate the infrastructure.

Australia attracts tourists with its animals and flora. There are no such unique animals anywhere else; they simply cannot live in other conditions. Australia is one of those continents where monkeys or ungulates do not exist, it has a lot to say about the unique climatic conditions mainland. The most convenient areas for tourism and living are coastal ones.

The northeast coast is known for the Great barrier reef, which stretches for 2000 km. Many islands located on the reef have been turned into luxury recreation centers. Population density in Australia depends on the territory; cities are densely populated, but other areas sometimes do not have even one person per square meter. The fact is that more than half of the territory of the entire country is not suitable for living due to the too hot climate.

Australians themselves are very open and sociable people. A mixture of British roots and an American touch makes them positive and cheerful. It is difficult to enter the country if you do not follow strict rules, so those tourists who get there are respected in advance by the permanent population of the country.

About all the cities listed below, we can say that it is the best city in Australia, but everyone has different tastes, so everyone chooses their own best city for - living, relaxing, studying, working. Looking ahead, I will say that there are four Australian cities in the TOP 10 most livable cities.

– Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Top 10 Australia

Top Cities in Australia

When tourists go to Australia, they ask themselves: Which Australian city should you spend more time in? Which city is better? . Let's try to figure this out.

Many international analytical companies compile world real estate ratings based on a variety of indicators. This data is constantly changing, and different agencies may have different results. I selected only Australian cities from the 2014 Quality of Life Ranking of World Cities, which is compiled annually by the Research Center The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The EIU is a leading research and analysis resource, founded in 1946 as a division of The Economist magazine and later becoming a source of timely and authoritative information for companies, financial institutions and even governments around the world. The latest report looked at one hundred and forty cities. The rating was compiled based on many important factors of the modern world, namely the quality of healthcare and education, the level of development of trade and transport system, crime rates and the threat of conflict, and even air temperature.

At the same time, Australian cities are among the most expensive cities world, for example, in a recent report by the same EIU, dedicated to the most expensive cities, Sydney and Melbourne are listed in sixth and seventh positions. But everyone understands that this will be the price that the buyer will pay to live in one of the best cities peace. But I note that Melbourne is the only large city in the country that was not included in the list of cities where housing prices increased by more than one hundred percent.

Currently, Australia's population is more than 19 million people. Almost 10 million people live on a relatively small expanse of land along the eastern and south coast. About 40% of the country's population is concentrated in two Australian cities - Sydney and Melbourne.

– 1 – Melbourne (Melbourne) – (VIC)

– Sunrise at the Swan bridge, Melbourne, Victoria

The second largest metropolis in Australia and the southernmost million-plus city in the world (population: about 4 million people). Melbourne For the umpteenth time in a row, it has been ranked first in the list of the most livable cities according to the rating from the famous newspaper The Economist. First place Melbourne in the world rankings it has secured the status of a metropolis in an economically developed country with a fairly low population density, as well as a high level of development of healthcare, education and the internal infrastructure of the city.

Melbourne Often called the capital of sport and culture of Australia, the most important sporting events and cultural events take place here. For tourists Melbourne will be interesting, first of all, for its extravagant combination of Victorian and modern architecture, the greenery of parks and gardens right in the center of the metropolis, as well as local residents of different nations and cultures. Six of Australia's ten tallest skyscrapers are located here. Among them is the 300 m high Eureka Tower, which ranks second in the country.

– 2 – Adelaide – (SA)

– Adelaide bridge, Adelaide, South Australia

Adelaide– The capital of South Australia, the fifth largest city in Australia with a population of 1.2 million people, ranking 5th in the world in the ranking of the best cities after the Canadian Vancouver and Toronto and the Austrian Vienna. More than three quarters of South Australia's population live in Adelaide. U Adelaide The urban layout, reminiscent of a grid, is very interesting. There are wide and spacious streets, picturesque boulevards, and the central part is surrounded by a green park. Despite the fact that Adelaide is the largest city in South Australia, the rhythm of a large metropolis is not felt here at all.

Tourists should visit the South Australian Museum and the Tandaniya Institute of Aboriginal Culture; within the city limits, visit numerous botanical gardens and recreational areas, and in its surroundings - in any of the four national parks. Historically, Adelaide is known as the city of churches. Much of the architecture in the central part of the city has been preserved from the colonial era. Australia's most famous wine regions are less than an hour's drive from the city. Barossa Valley And Adelaide Hills.

– 3 – Sydney – (NSW)

– View of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Bay Bridge, including Bradleys Head, Sydney, New South Wales

Sydney- is the continent's largest metropolis and the country's financial capital, the center of the headquarters of 90 banks and more than half of Australia's largest companies. It took 7th place in the ranking of the best cities in the world after Calgary, Canada. The city has a population of approximately 4.5 million people and is one of the most cosmopolitan and multicultural cities in the world. This fact explains the unprecedented attractiveness Sydney for immigrants constantly joining the urban population. Tourists will be amazed by the unique combination of ultra-modern skyscrapers and extensive business centers with ancient Mediterranean-style buildings and an abundance of green parks.

– 4 – Perth – (WA)

– View of the city from observation deck Botanic Garden, Perth, Western Australia

Perth took 9th place in the ranking of the best cities in the world after Helsinki. This is one of the most isolated cities in the world from the wider civilization, which has gained fame as an excellent secret place among tourists. In fact, this is major metropolis with a population of 1.6 million people. Perth also became known as the “City of Lights”: in 1962, the Friendship spacecraft flew over it, and residents simultaneously turned on all possible sources of light. What tourists value most here is great beaches ocean coast.

– 5 – Brisbane – (QLD)

– View of Story Bridge and Brisbane from Wilson's Outlook, Queensland

Brisbane ranked 18th in the ranking of the best cities in the world. Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland. The population is about 2 million, making it the third largest city in Australia, after Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane's year-round warm climate, spectacular scenery and pleasant... local residents attract people from other parts of the continent, which makes Brisbane the fastest growing city in Australia. Now the city is an original interweaving of modern and colonial architectural styles. The spiers of Victorian churches are combined here with palm trees planted in front of the facades of skyscrapers, which looks quite original.

– 6 – Canberra – (ACT)

– Parliament House at sunset, Capital Hill, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

For some reason, the capital of Australia was not included in the ranking of the best cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit, but ranked from Mercer Quality of Living ahead Brisbane and ranks 30th. And according to the latest survey conducted by the Property Council of Australia, Canberra took first place in the list of the best cities in Australia for living conditions. This survey involved 5,400 people from 10 cities across the country.

The capital has finally surpassed Adelaide in some indicators, which was the No. 1 city of all last years, as well as Hobart - No. 2. What people in the survey liked most about Canberra were its outdoor recreation opportunities, education system and safety.

Canberra took first place in the list of the best cities in Australia for living conditions. In this it is quite unique in that it was built specifically as a capital. The chief architect of the construction was Walter Burley Griffin from Chicago. The opening of the capital took place in 1927. Canberra's layout takes care of all the fine details of the landscape. The city is more like a resort - green, wide streets, small buildings, a complete absence of industry. Canberra's main attraction is Lake Griffin. This is an artificial lake with an area of ​​72 hectares, located in the very center of the city! On the shores of the lake there are government buildings and a large park.

– 7 – Gold Coast – (QLD)

– Gold Coast(Gold Coast), Queensland

Australia's sixth most populous city is Gold Coast or simply Gold Coast– located an hour’s drive from Brisbane, on the ocean coast. This is one of the most famous resorts in the world. Gold Coast- this is the hot sun, high waves, mind-blowing rides, bright clubs, the most beautiful girls and tanned hot surfers.

– 8 – Cairns – (QLD)

– The Lagoon, Cairns Esplanade, Cairns, Queensland

Cairns is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Australia. Situated in the northeast, Cairns is a provincial but stylish city with a population of around 150,000 people. The beautiful wildlife scenery of this Australian resort offers an exciting holiday for any traveler.

– 9 – Hobart – (TAS)

– Marina, view of Mt Wellington, Hobart, Tasmania

Hobart is the capital of the Australian island of Tasmania, as well as the second oldest city in Australia after Sydney. With a population of about 250 thousand. Hobart- it's small and cozy town, compared to larger mainland cities. It is a small town located at the foot of Mount Wellington. It has a mountainous landscape, which is reminiscent of many cities in Italy. It is home to Australia's oldest theatre, built in 1837. The climate is mild and temperate with four distinct seasons.

A 20-minute drive from the city is Mount Wellington, a true wildlife sanctuary. You can drive to the top of the mountain, seeing tropical rainforest, subalpine flora and glacial rock formations along the way. From the top there are panoramic views of Hobart, Bruny Island and Tasman Peninsula.

– 10 – Darwin – (NT)

– Darwin, Northern Territory

Located on the north coast, Darwin has long become the most international of the country's major cities, although it ranks 16th in Australia in terms of population. Its close proximity to other countries in the Indian Ocean made the city a transport hub from its earliest days. Devastated during World War II and destroyed after Tropical Cyclone Tracy of 1974, Darwin recovered, showing his unwavering spirit. Today, the population of this Australian resort is about 750 thousand people, and for tourists Darwin has become a popular holiday destination.

Tropical Darwin- a peaceful atmosphere, outdoor living, a mixture of cultures, wildlife and interesting activities. The city is small and easy to navigate. You won't see skyscrapers or multi-story buildings here. Darwin stands firmly on the ground. There are Aboriginal sacred sites in and around the city where you can experience one of the oldest living cultures on Earth. Neighborhood Darwin are rich in places of amazing beauty, the most striking of which are National parks Kakadu (just 170km away), Lichfield and Katherine's Gorge.

More photos you can see by Australian Photography Ilya Genkin.

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The capital of Australia, Canberra, is a young and comparatively small city. It was founded in the 20th century and now has a population of about 260,000 people.

The center of Canberra is a small hill. Several streets run from that hill. Special charm is given to Canberra by an artificial lake in the center of the city. A fountain more than 100 meters high is in the western part of the lake. At night powerful lights illuminate the water. It is the Captain Cook Fountain, one of the main places of interest in Canberra. Another one is a memorial military museum. The building of the Australian Academy of Sciences is quite unusual in form - it is like a huge overturned bowl.

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia. It was the capital of the country till 1927 and now is the center of Australian business world. It is also one of the largest ports in the country. Melbourne is a beautiful city with numerous skyscrapers, straight boulevards and large parks and gardens. One of Melbourne’s places of interest is the house of Captain Cook, the famous British navigator.

Sydney is Australia's largest and oldest city. It was the first British settlement. Sydney has the oldest in the country botanical gardens and the Zoo. One of the main places of interest of the city is the famous bridge over the Bay of Port Jackson. Another one is the Opera House, which resembles large white shells in form. It is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Sydney is the city of three universities.

Cities of Australia

The capital of Australia, Canberra, is a young and relatively small city. It was founded in the 20th century and currently has about 260,000 inhabitants.

There is a small hill in the center of Canberra. Several streets start from this hill. The artificial lake in the city center gives Canberra a special charm. The fountain, more than 100 meters high, is located in the western part of the lake. At night, powerful lanterns illuminate the water. This is Captain Cook's Fountain, one of the main attractions in Canberra. The other is the War Memorial Museum. The building of the Australian Academy of Sciences is very unusual in shape - it looks like a huge inverted bowl.

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia. It was the country's capital until 1927 and is currently the center of the Australian business world. It is also one of the largest ports in the country. Melbourne is very beautiful city with numerous skyscrapers, straight boulevards, spacious parks and gardens. One of the attractions is the house of Captain Cook, the famous British navigator.

Sydney is Australia's largest and oldest city. This was the first British settlement. Sydney is home to the country's oldest botanic gardens and zoo. One of the city's main attractions is the famous Port Jackson Bay Bridge. The other is the Opera House, which is shaped like large white shells. It is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Sydney is a city of three universities.

Australia is the most urbanized country in the world, with about 70% of the population living in large cities, with more than 88% living in cities along the mainland's East Coast. Among them are 5 large cities in Australia.

The following 5 large cities in Australia can be distinguished by population: 4.3 million people in Sydney, 3.8 million in Melbourne, approximately 2 million in Brisbane, 1.5 million in Perth and 1, 1 million – in Adelaide. The capital of Australia, Canberra, is home to approximately 300 thousand people.

So Sydney

Sydney is the capital of New South Wales. It is the most cosmopolitan and largest city in Australia. He was recognized several times " the best city Earth" based on survey results travel companies peace.

Sydney has many things that can be considered unique in the country: the best zoo in the country, the only metro in Australia, the oldest Botanical Garden. The main attraction of the city is the famous bridge built across Port Jackson Bay, connecting northern part cities from the south.

The Sydney Bridge is, indeed, an amazing engineering structure, having one huge span, and the length between the pylons is 503 m. Among other single-arch bridges in the world, it is one of the longest. The largest ships can pass under it, because... the roadway is above the water at an altitude of -52 m.

In that amazing city There is another interesting building - the Sydney Opera House. It represents a fantastic group of huge sails and many white giant sea shells, which are nested one inside the other. One can only be amazed at the imagination of the architect who created such a bizarre structure. The theater was built in 1973, and it immediately became a symbol of the country.

There are also such attractions as the Sydney Aquarium, the TV tower with a revolving restaurant, and the zoo. There are also many cafes and restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas, and shops. Therefore, entertainment here can be found for every taste. And who prefers beach holiday, then Bondi and Manly are the best beaches in the city.

Melbourne

It is the capital of Victoria, the financial and cultural center of the country. In 1992, the Washington Population Center decided to name the city "the most livable city in the world." Melbourne is home to the National Art Gallery and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Many arts festivals and other cultural events take place here every year.

Brisbane

It was scurried around in 1824. The capital of Queensland, an industrial and financial center. In Australia it is called “the most lived-in”. Accommodation here is cheaper than in others big cities countries.

The cost of living for a student from another country, approximately per year, is, according to various estimates, 8-9 thousand AUD. Those students who study on long-term programs are given discounts on travel to public transport. However, the city is small, so you can get to any area by bicycle.

There is a mild subtropical climate here, which is why some houses do not even have heating. In summer the average temperature can be 27 degrees Celsius, and in winter - 22 degrees. To the south of the city stretches the Gold Coast (32 km) - the most famous resort in Australia.

Adelaide

It is the capital of South Australia, built in 1836. Elegance is the main difference between this city and other Australian cities.

It is a quieter city compared to Sydney and Melbourne. When it was built, the number of multi-story buildings was reduced to a minimum. In the center of Adelaide, many buildings are built in a colonial style, crisscrossing wide streets lined with ficus, acacia and palm trees.

As the state's cultural capital, it has an Art Gallery that boasts a rich collection of 19th-century Australian artists and a collection of Australian Aboriginal art.

Adelaide is also famous for its exhibitions and festivals. It is also home to two of the country's renowned universities: the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide. Their doors are open to Russian students.

Perth

This city closes the list of 5 large cities in Australia - young and modern. It is located on the banks of the Swan River. This is the capital Western Australia, the main industrial center. There is not only the University of Western Australia, which is one of the eight top universities, but also a large number of other prestigious universities, specialized colleges, laboratories, and research centers.

In the Gallery Fine Arts works by Australian and international artists are presented. The Western Australian Museum has an exhibition dedicated to the history and life of the state.

It is here that you can see the well-known Australian landscapes - blue skies and red earth, trees and rocks. In the vicinity of the city are the Kimberley diamond mines and one of the world's largest gold and nickel deposits.

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Currently, Australia's population is more than 19 million people. Almost 10 million people live on a relatively small expanse of land along the east and south coasts. About 40% of the country's population is concentrated in two - Sydney and Melbourne. Below is a list of the largest and most popular cities among tourists in Australia.

Canberra


Brisbane


Brisbane is a beautiful tropical city with a population of one million, the third largest after Sydney and Melbourne - the capital of the state of Queensland. Located at the Brisbane Estuary. Now the city is an original interweaving of modern and colonial architectural styles. The spiers of Victorian churches are combined here with palm trees planted in front of the facades of skyscrapers, which looks quite original.

Perth


Perth - main city West Coast, capital of the state of Western Australia. It is called the "pearl of Australia". Perth is home to a mint that tells the story of gold mining in Western Australia. Despite the many modern buildings, there are few houses left in the Victorian style in the city, a very beautiful theater building of the 19th century - His Majesty's Theater.