Question

What is the capital city of Australia? A) Sydney B) Melbourne C) Brisbane D) Canberra

Answer 1

Answer: D) Canberra

Explanation:

Many students get confused about Australia's capital city because Sydney and Melbourne are much more famous and populous cities. However, the correct answer is Canberra, which serves as Australia's national capital and seat of government.

Canberra was specifically chosen as Australia's capital in 1908 as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne, both of which wanted to be the national capital. The city was purposely designed and built to serve as the capital, making it what we call a "planned city." Construction began in 1913, and the Australian Parliament moved there from Melbourne in 1927.

Located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Canberra houses all the important government buildings including Parliament House, the High Court of Australia, and various government departments. The city is situated between Sydney and Melbourne, roughly 300 kilometers from each city.

While Sydney is Australia's largest city and major economic hub, and Melbourne is known for its cultural significance, neither serves as the national capital. Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is another major Australian city but also not the national capital. Remember this simple fact: Canberra is Australia's purpose-built capital city, designed specifically for governance and administration.