Canberra, ACT

Canberra is the federal capital of the Commonwealth of Australia and is located in the Australian Capital Territory. With a population of 381,488 (2013), it is the country's seventh largest city.

In the 1820s the first European settlers came to the area where today Canberra is located to raise sheep.

In 1908, after years of discussions about a suitable place, the current location was chosen as the capital. The choice for a new city was made in order to avoid an industrious situation between Sydney and Melbourne. Canberra lies between both cities (300 km from Sydney and 650 km from Melbourne). Since the parliament building opened in 1927, Canberra has served as the seat of parliament. The name means Meeting place in the language of the Aborigines.