Sydney
The importance of Aboriginal culture on Sydney, and the rest of Australia, cannot be understated. The First People of Australia are the oldest continuing living culture on the planet – a storied history cultivated over thousands of years. The impact of Aboriginal heritage can be found all around the NSW capital. Incredible rock carvings share stories from centuries past and Aboriginal tours and galleries give fascinating insight into traditions and beliefs. Events and festivals feature dancing and music performances as well Aboriginal crafts and tools.
Sydney is the capital city of the Australian state of New South Wales and Australia’s largest and oldest city (founded in 1788). It is the largest city in the southern hemisphere, in terms of area. With a metropolitan area population of 4.7 million and a population of approximately 170,000 people in the city proper (known as the “City of Sydney”), the Sydney metropolis is the larger of the two main financial, transport, trade and cultural centres of Australia (the other being Melbourne, Sydney’s long term rival to the title of pre-eminent Australian city).
Sydney is a significant global and domestic tourist destination and is regularly declared to be one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world, admired for its harbour, beautiful coastline, warm and pleasant climate and cosmopolitan culture. Sydney significantly raised its global profile in recent years as the host city of the 2000 Summer Olympics. The city’s name is pronounced “SID-nee”. A resident of Sydney is popularly known as a “Sydneysider”.
With a metropolitan population of 4.7 million and a total population of approximately 170,000 people in the inner city, Sydney is the larger of the two main financial, transport, trade and cultural centres of Australia (the other being Melbourne, Sydney’s long term rival to the title of pre-eminent Australian city).
Sydney is located on the east coast of Australia in a coastal basin between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Blue Mountains to the west. Sydney features the largest natural harbour in the world, Port Jackson, and also enjoys more than 70 beaches, including the famous Bondi Beach. Sydney’s urban area (1,687 sq km) is similar in size to Greater London, but has half its population. Much of Sydney’s metropolitan area is national park and other wilderness, which contributes greatly to its livability.