Melbourne Overview
A vibrant cosmopolitan
city, located on the magnificent Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne is the state
capital and cultural heart of Victoria. The locals' claim that it is 'the
best city in the world to live in' may rankle their rivals in Sydney, but
few would dispute that it is a fascinating place to visit. In fact, the traditional
rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney, which covers every sphere of life from
business to sport and culture, has resulted in a proud, dynamic city that
strives to be the best in all things.
All state roads lead into
the city and Victoria's unique geography means that it is possible to spend
the morning on the coast, ski in the afternoon in the Victorian Alps and
enjoy an aperitif at a winery before returning to Melbourne to take in a
show at one of the many theatres.
The banks of the Yarra
River, home to Aborigines for thousands of years, attracted British settlers
who founded Port Phillip Bay in 1835. The settlement rapidly expanded and
by 1851 the city, named after Queen Victoria's Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne,
was born. In the same year, gold was discovered near Ballarat and Bendigo,
to the west of Melbourne, and the ensuing gold rush turned the city into
a powerful financial centre as well as the first political capital until
Canberra was established in 1927.
Numerous gardens and parks
give a pleasant, open feel to the city, whose skyline mixes elegant spires
with dazzling modern skyscrapers, which dwarf the elegant Victorian-era buildings
dotted along leafy streets. However, the city is defined more by its diverse
population than by its architecture.
Immigration at the end
of World War II transformed Melbourne into a thriving cultural melting pot,
totalling over three million people, with sizeable Italian, Greek and Chinese
communities each carving out their own quarter. In fact, large-scale immigration
has made Melbourne home to the largest Greek community outside Greece, and
the influx of Vietnamese and Lebanese has contributed to Melbourne's claim
to be the cultural capital of Australia. The introduction of European and
Asian communities has resulted in an eclectic and energetic blend of theatre,
music, art and literature.
The international population
has also brought a wealth of different cuisines, served up in a wide range
of restaurants, from the outdoor cafés along the Crown Promenade overlooking
the Yarra River, to the pizzerias in Carlton, the Chinese banquet halls in
Chinatown and the fine seafood restaurants in trendy St Kilda Beach.
One topic that is guaranteed
to be discussed over dinner is the weather. The city has four distinct seasons,
and usually enjoys a temperate climate of mild temperatures. However, not
only can winters get chilly, summers usually see some swelteringly hot days.
Sometimes, all four seasons occur in one day. The ever-optimistic locals
joke that if you don't like the weather you just have to wait ten minutes
and it will change.
Melbourne Fast Facts
Region : Victoria
Country : Australia
Continent : Australia
National Status : Federal Nation
National Population : 18,838,000 (2000 estimate, Source: United Nations Population
Division, 1996)
City Population : 3,188,000 (2000 estimate, Source: United Nations Population
Division, 1996)
National Capital : Canberra
Local Time : GMT+10 (GMT +11 from October to March)
Official Language : English
Currency : Australian Dollar (AUD) =100 cents
Religion : 75% Christian, Aboriginal beliefs, Jewish minority.
Cost of Living in Melbourne
One-litre bottle of mineral
water: A$1.30
33cl bottle of beer: A$3
Financial Times newspaper: A$8.50
36-exposure colour film: A$9.50
City-centre bus ticket: A$2.60
Adult football ticket: A$15
Three-course meal with wine/beer: A$55
1 Australian Dollar (A$)
= £0.38; US$0.52; C$0.79
Currency conversion rates as of June 2001
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