Overview
Sydney is the capital of the Australian state of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan population of around 5.4 million people. It is located on the southeastern coast of Australia, surrounding one of the world's largest natural harbors, known as Port Jackson or Sydney Harbour.
Geography and Physical Features
Sydney is built around a deeply indented coastline carved by ancient rivers and inundated by rising sea levels at the end of the last ice age. The city stretches over 12,000 square kilometers, bounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Blue Mountains, and the Hawkesbury and Woronora Rivers. Botany Bay, where Captain Cook first landed in 1770, lies to the south.
Significance
Sydney is the site of the first European settlement in Australia, established in 1788 as a British penal colony. Today it is a global financial center and Australia's leading economic hub. The city is also a major tourism destination and gateway to Australia, hosting the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Notable Facts
The Sydney Opera House, completed in 1973, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most recognized buildings in the world, designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, opened in 1932, has a span of 503 meters and is one of the largest steel arch bridges in the world. Bondi Beach is one of Australia's most famous urban beaches.