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Australia's two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, had been rivals since before the goldrush days. The goldrushes only exacerbated the situation, with the state of Victoria suddenly wealthier than New South Wales, and Melbourne shaping up to be the cultural centre of Australia.
After Federation in 1901, it was therefore decided that the nation's capital should be situated between the two cities. A location was chosen which was 248km from Sydney and 483km from Melbourne.
Section 125 of the Constitution of Australia provided that:
"The seat of Government of the Commonwealth shall be determined by the Parliament, and shall be within territory which shall have been granted to or acquired by the Commonwealth, and shall be vested in and belong to the Commonwealth, and shall be in the State of New South Wales, and be distant not less than one hundred miles from Sydney."
Melbourne was the meeting place for Parliament for many years, until the first Parliament House was built in 1927. It was never Australia's capital, but Parliament had to meet there as it was the only city with a building large enough for the purpose.
The foundation stone for Canberra was laid on 12 March 1913. Lady Denman, wife of the Governor-General, then announced the name of the city as Canberra, believed to be a derivation of an Aboriginal word for 'meeting place'.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoAustralia's two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, had been rivals since before the goldrush days. After Federation in 1901, it was therefore decided that the nation's capital should be situated between the two cities. A location was chosen which was 248km from Sydney and 483km from Melbourne.
Section 125 of the Constitution of Australia provided that:
"The seat of Government of the Commonwealth shall be determined by the Parliament, and shall be within territory which shall have been granted to or acquired by the Commonwealth, and shall be vested in and belong to the Commonwealth, and shall be in the State of New South Wales, and be distant not less than one hundred miles from Sydney.
Such territory shall contain an area of not less than one hundred square miles, and such portion thereof as shall consist of Crown lands shall be granted to the Commonwealth without any payment therefore. The Parliament shall sit at Melbourne until it meets at the seat of Government."
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoAs a compromise between Melbourne and Sydney, Canberra was chosen as Australia's capital in 1908. It is different from Sydney and Melbourne because it is a planned city outside of any state,just like District of Columbia of the US. An international contest for its design was held which was won by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin which are both architects from Chicago. The construction of the winners' blueprint took place in 1913.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoCanberra is a purpose built city. it was built to host the federal Parliament of Australia which rules the country. as such that makes Canberra the capital city of Australia.
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What is the closest capital city to sydney?
The closest capital city to Sydney is Canberra.
What is the name of an Australian city?
Our most important cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart and our capital city is Canberra.
Was Australia's capital city formerly Melbourne?
Melbourne was never the capital of Australia. There is a common misconception that, because Melbourne was the temporary seat of government between Federation (1901) and 1927, that it was also the capital. This was not the case, as it was never officially designated the title of Capital, even temporarily. Australia's two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, had been rivals since before the goldrush days. It was therefore decided that the nation's capital should be situated between the two cities. A location was chosen which was 248km from Sydney and 483km from Melbourne. Thus, Canberra became Australia's first, and only, capital city.
What is the capital city of Sydney Australia?
No, Canberra is the capital. It was chosen as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne, both of which wanted to be the new capital.Sydney is the capital of the state of New South Wales, and the country's largest city by population.
What is the closest capital city to Melbourne?
The closest national capital is Canberra. Canberra. This is the ONLY capital city of Australia. (The next closest capital city is in New Zealand.) :)
Did sydney used to be the capital?
No. Australia has only ever had one capital city, and that was and is Canberra. Sydney, although the largest city, has only ever been capital of New South Wales. The site of Canberra was identified in 1908, seven years after Federation, but until the city was actually built, the Federal Parliament had to meet in Melbourne. For this reason, some people incorrectly believe that Australia's first capital city was Melbourne. It was not.
Which is the main capital of Australia?
There is no answer to this question.Australia's capital city is Canberra, but it is by no means the largest city in Australia. Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is the largest city, followed by Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, which are all state capitals.
Is canberra and sydney the closest capital cities to each other?
Queanbeyan, on the eastern border of Canberra, is the closest city.The closest capital city is Sydney.
When Australia became the federated Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 Sydney and Melbourne competed to be the capital city. A compromise was reached and became the federal capital in 1928.?
Canberra became Australia's federal capital.
When Australia became the federated Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 Sydney and Melbourne competed to be the capital city A compromise was reached and what became the federal capital in 1928?
Canberra became Australia's federal capital.
Where is capital in Australia?
Yes, Australia has many cities. See the related question.
Melbourne is the capital of which state?
Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria.
