Canberra

Canberra is the capital city of Australia, located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in the southeast of the country. It was established in 1913 as a planned city designed by American architect Walter Burley Griffin after the 1908 decision to place the capital there rather than in Sydney or Melbourne.

The city's layout centers on Lake Burley Griffin and the Parliamentary Triangle, a geometric arrangement of government precincts surrounded by parklands. The national capital region includes natural areas such as Namadgi National Park, with suburban districts laid out around a federal planning concept.

Canberra hosts the federal government, with Parliament House on Capital Hill (opened in 1988) and the historic Old Parliament House. The ACT Legislative Assembly provides local government. The city is home to national institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum, the National Library, and the Australian National University.

With about 430,000 residents in the city and its suburbs, Canberra's economy is dominated by public administration, defence, education, and research. It houses numerous federal agencies, universities, and national research bodies.

Canberra has a four-season, dry climate, with hot summers and cool to cold winters. January temperatures average in the mid-20s Celsius, while winter frosts are common and nearby mountains may see snow. Transport includes Canberra Airport and a bus network; a light rail line opened in 2019.

The name Canberra is commonly said to derive from an Aboriginal word meaning “meeting place,” though the exact origin is disputed. The city hosts major cultural events such as Floriade and Enlighten and is noted for its parks, gardens, and national monuments.