The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of states and territories. There are six states and two mainland territories. Canberra is Australia’s capital city, and each state and mainland territory has its own capital.
The states
| New South Wales was the first colony established by the British. Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales and is the nation’s largest city. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House are national icons. |  |
| Victoria is the smallest of the mainland states. Victoria’s capital city is Melbourne. Many fine buildings in Victoria were built from the wealth created by the gold rush of the 1850s. Victoria’s icons include the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 12 Apostles, and the Royal Exhibition Building. |  |
| Queensland is the second largest state. Queensland’s capital city is Brisbane. The Torres Strait Islands lie to the north of the state and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef runs along its eastern coast. Queensland has tropical rainforests, temperate coastal areas and an often dry inland. |  |
| Western Australia is the largest state. Perth is the capital city of Western Australia. The east of the state is mostly desert, while the south-west is a rich agricultural and wine-growing area. The state is home to many large mining projects. Western Australia’s icons include the Ningaloo Coast, Margaret River, and the Kimberley region. |  |
| South Australia has a rugged coastline and many famous wine regions. Adelaide, the capital city, has many examples of fine colonial architecture. South Australia’s icons include the Barossa Valley and the Flinders Ranges. |  |
| Tasmania is the smallest state, separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait. Tasmania’s capital city is Hobart. Much of the island has unspoilt wilderness landscapes. Tasmanian icons include Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur, and the Bay of Fires. |  |
The territories
| The Australian Capital Territory is located between Sydney and Melbourne. It is home to the nation’s capital city, Canberra. Several national institutions are located in Canberra, including Parliament House and the High Court of Australia. |  |
| The Northern Territory has a tropical environment in the north of the state and dry red desert in the south. Darwin is the capital city. Northern Territory icons include Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon. |  |
