D

As Australia is one of the most urbanized countries in the world，cities are central to Australian society.The nation’s major cities include Canberra，Sydney，Melbourne，Brisbane，Perth，and Adelaide.

Canberra is the federal capital of Australia.It was built in beginning in 1913.The word Canberra is Aboriginal in origin（spelt“Kambera”in the original），meaning“gathering place”.The city centers round Lake Griffith，an artificial lake named after the city’s designer.To the south of the lake lies the administrative district which is home to well⁃known buildings like the federal Parliament Hall，the National Library and the Academy of Science.Canberra is perhaps Australia’s least populated city，with only about 412，000 residents，60％ of whom are government employees and their relatives.The city is known for its mild climate，with the highest average temperature in January being 20℃and the lowest in July at 5℃，which enables it to have ever⁃green vegetation and flowers in bloom all year round.

the Sydney Bridge

Sydney Opera House

Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales，and is located on the eastern coast.With a population of around 4.7 million，it is Australia’s largest city，as well as the nation’s commercial and financial center.Sydney was settled as Britain’s first colony in Australia more than two hundred years ago.Sydney harbor is the largest natural harbor in the world，with wharves extending 18 kilometers.The Sydney Opera House，which was built in 1973，is the city’s signature landmark.Another notable sight is the great single⁃span arch bridge across Port Jackson;towering high above the sea，it connects the northern and southern parts of the city.Sydney is also home to the biggest China town in the country.

Melbourne，with a population about 4.2 million，is the second⁃largest city in Australia and capital of the state of Victoria.Before Canberra was built，it also served as the national capital.Melbourne is a city of parks and gardens;one⁃quarter of its area is given to green spaces of various sizes，so that the city looks like a huge garden itself.

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland.With a population of around 2.2 million，it is Australia’s third⁃largest city.The State of Queensland gets so much sunshine that it is often referred to as the“Sunshine State”.Brisbane is likewise a city of sunshine and warmth with great scenic beauty.Compared with most other Australian cities，Brisbane is relatively new;much of its development occurred in the 1960s and 1970s as a result of the rapid growth of the region’s mining industry and tourism.The city is also famous for its Royal Hospital，the largest and the best⁃equipped of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

Perth is the capital and largest city of Western Australia.With a population of 2 million，it is the fourth largest city in Australia.Built in 1829，it is a city of great charm，with the beautiful Swan River running through the city.It is one of the most isolated major cities in the world.The nearest major city，Adelaide，is more than 2，000 kilometers away.

Adelaide is the capital of Southern Australia.It is also the first city that gained autonomy in colonial days.The city now has a population of over one million.Once every two years，the city holds a grand art festival which hosts performances by the country’s most distinguished musicians and dancers.Adelaide is also the site of an international F1 car race that is held annually.

Other important cities include Hobart，the capital of Tasmania，and Darwin，the capital of the Northern Territory.