Introduction
The combination of these two words creates the narrative of the national identity, geography, politics, and history of Australia. Whenever one hears the word Australia, he/she tends to imagine the symbolic Harbour Bridge of Sydney, the culture of Melbourne or the immense outback. However, Canberra, the capital of Australia is a city which is more than just a government. It represents a conscious decision: an agreement, an ambition and a mission interwoven into the very core of this nation.
Canberra is a city that is at the centre of Australia where the capital is situated. It was not created as the oldest, biggest or richest city, but rather as a result of a wise idea. The Canberra area was constructed due to a strong desire to have a balance over power between Sydney and Melbourne, which are the two major cities in the colony. In the year 1901, Australia federated and no single city became acceptable by everyone. To find a neutral location and unity, the leaders decided to locate a place between these two cities hence a new capital started to form.
Canberra is not an ordinary political center, it is a planned urban center, designed with a purpose, within its walls in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). In 1911 American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin received an international design competition award based on their visionary plan. Their layout incorporated natural ground, directions of orientation, geometrical shapes and lakes. It was established as a construction site in 1913 and with time Canberra became the seat of government.
In 1927, the Parliament permanently moved to Canberra, and the science of the temporary capital of Melbourne was over. Canberra architecture is that of a status: it exudes the presence of the national institutions, wide streets, and well-landscaped areas, making it look dignified and well-balanced at the same time. The city is the symbolic center of Australia and it is also home to Parliament house, national museums, Australian War memorial and many cultural institutions.
Why Canberra Was Chosen as the Capital
The decision to go to Australia and the capital was not just a geographical choice; it was a political choice. Competition between Sydney and Melbourne was stiff, with each city competing to be prominent in the country. The founders of Australia realized that the capital must be in the area that would not be favorable to one city compared to another. The answer was to create a territory to specifically house the new capital; the Australian Capital Territory.
The ACT is a small accessory which is full of natural attractions. It is situated between mountain ranges and flanked by Molonglo River and was designed to be used in its purpose as government seat. That way Canberra can be described as symbolic as well as functional, not just the capital of its inhabitants, but also of all Australians.
The plan of the Griffins in terms of architecture aimed at honoring nature, emphasizing key views and incorporating symbolic axes. The structure of Canberra is based on this, major structures are oriented towards hills and hillsides and open spaces and water bodies are well incorporated in the city. Such a careful plan has given Canberra one of the rare capitals in the world that were not formed through centuries of development, but rather developed based on a unified vision.
Canberra: The Personal and Political Heart of Australia
Canberra is not just the seat of law making to many Australians. It is a breathing representation of the national wholeness and aspirations. The city has a nature-sophistication balance. It is enclosed within bushland and rolling hills, but inside of it is embassies, national institutions, vibrant food precincts and cultural spaces.
Its population is still on the increase. Canberra is not as large as Sydney or Melbourne, but this is an advantage as it is not too large to handle and live in. With recent estimates, over 450,000 individuals are today calling Canberra their home. Canberra is a rich area, which is politically important and also full of natural nature and relaxed urban rhythm.
The climate of Canberra is a contributing factor to its nature as well. It has clear seasons warm summers, cool winters and even frosty seasons. The central lake in the city, Lake Burley Griffin, is a symbolic structure not only because of recreational and touring purposes, but also in the master plan of the city.
Museums, the National Museum of Australia, the National Gallery, and the Australian War Memorial are also among the attractions in Canberra that provide the cultural insight into the past and challenges along with the sense of identity of the country, though there is also no shortage of fun, color, and celebration in this city. australia.com
The Significance of Australia and Capital in Today’s World
By capital we refer to not only to the land and the policies that make the land, but to the way a country determines its identity. Canberra is used symbolically and practically. It accommodates all arms of the federal government; Parliament, the High Court and numerous national agencies. It is thus the place where decisions of national substance are made, international relations are negotiated and the national identity is maintained as well as projected to the world.
And Canberra is a city too to its inhabitants. It is not a mere tourist destination or an administrative capital – this is where people live, work, study and develop. It is a city that brings together nature and planning resulting in a quality of life that most Australians appreciate. And since it was not hereditary but made, its future can still be innovative.
Canberra is becoming more and more appealing in terms of tourism. The visitors visit to walk around Lake Burley Griffin, visit national monuments as well as explore broad green corridors. It is a city that makes one think, question and educate, ideal to those who would want to know what contemporary Australia represents.
Final Thoughts
As we consider Canberra and Australia, we understand that there was more than the practicality of the selection of Canberra. It was extremely symbolic, based on compromise, and visionary. Canberra is not merely a city, but an embodiment of life, of unity, both democratic ideals and the desire of Australia to have its own capital to which it can identify with.
Canberra is also a point as Australia keeps on its path through the 21st century. It is the place of the intersection of history, government, culture, and nature. It is a purpose-made city – moulded to show its position as the centre of the state. And in knowing Canberra we know Australia better: less its geography than its spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is it Canberra and not Sydney and not Melbourne, the capital of Australia?
Canberra was chosen as a compromise to put an end to the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne. To remain impartial and unbiased, a new city was planned in a territory (the Australian Capital Territory) that was to be specifically utilized as the national capita.
When was heroin made the capital of Australia?
Canberra was developed in 1913 with an international design contest being won. In the year nineteen twenty-seven the federal Parliament officially moved out of Melbourne to Canberra.
Who designed Canberra?
The city was designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, an American couple of architects, who emerged victors in the competition in 1911. The design emphasized on geometry, harmony to the landscape, and the incorporation of water and green spaces.
What is the number of inhabitants of Canberra?
The recent estimations indicate that there are about 450,000-480,000 people living in Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory.
What is special about Canberra- the capital?
In fact, Canberra stands out since it was to be symbolic, practical and neutral. There are cultural centers, monuments and archaeological institutions in it. It is clearly designed to blend with nature and the intent of the same is directly linked to the Australian identity.
Is the Australian Capital Territory (ACT an exception to other states?Yes. The ACT is a land on its own, which has been built to serve the Australian capital. It is surrounded by New South Wales and has been established in order to allow it provide a national seat without over-favoring a state.
