Brisbane
Capital city of Queensland, Australia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Capital city of Queensland, Australia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brisbane (/ˈbrɪzbən/ BRIZ-bən,[10] Turrbal: Meanjin) is the capital and largest city of the state of Queensland[11] and the third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population over 2.7 million.[1] The city is best known for its subtropical climate, unique natural landscape and iconic Queenslander architecture.
Brisbane Meanjin (Turrbal) Queensland | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coordinates | 27°28′04″S 153°01′41″E | ||||||||
Population | 2,706,966 (2023)[1] (3rd) | ||||||||
• Density | 159/km2 (410/sq mi) [2] (2021 GCCSA) | ||||||||
Established | May 1825 (exact date unknown) [3] | ||||||||
Elevation | 32 m (105 ft) | ||||||||
Area | 15,842 km2 (6,116.6 sq mi)[2][4] | ||||||||
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||
Location | |||||||||
LGA(s) | |||||||||
Region | South East Queensland | ||||||||
County | Stanley, Canning, Cavendish, Churchill, Ward | ||||||||
State electorate(s) | 41 divisions | ||||||||
Federal division(s) | 17 divisions | ||||||||
|
Brisbane lies at the centre of South East Queensland, an urban agglomeration with a population of approximately 4 million which includes several other regional centres and cities. The central business district is situated within a peninsula of the Brisbane River about 15 km (9 mi) from its mouth at Moreton Bay.[12] Brisbane is located in the hilly floodplain of the Brisbane River Valley between Moreton Island and the Taylor and D'Aguilar mountain ranges.[13][14] It sprawls across several local government areas, most centrally the City of Brisbane. The demonym of Brisbane is Brisbanite.[15][16]
The Moreton Bay penal settlement was founded in 1824 at Redcliffe as a place for secondary offenders from the Sydney colony, and soon moved to North Quay in 1825 on the banks of the Brisbane River, so named for British army general and Governor of New South Wales Sir Thomas Brisbane. German Lutherans established the first free settlement of Zion Hill at Nundah in 1838, and in 1859 Brisbane was chosen as Queensland's capital when the state separated from New South Wales. By the late 19th century, the city had grown into a major port and centre of immigration. During World War II, the Allied command in the South West Pacific was based in the city, along with the headquarters for General Douglas MacArthur of the United States Army.[17]
Brisbane is a global centre for research and innovation[18][19] and is a transportation hub, being served by large rail, bus and ferry networks, as well as Brisbane Airport and the Port of Brisbane, Australia's third-busiest airport and seaport.
A diverse city with over 36% of its metropolitan population being foreign-born, Brisbane is frequently ranked highly in lists of the most liveable cities.[20][21] Brisbane has hosted major events including the 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo 88, the 2001 Goodwill Games, the 2014 G20 summit, and will host the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.[22]
Brisbane is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations and is Australia's most biodiverse and greenest city.[23] South Bank and its extensive parklands is the most visited tourist landmark in Australia.[24] Other major landmarks and precincts of the city include the Queensland Cultural Centre (including the Queensland Art Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Queensland Museum, the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre), Brisbane City Hall, the Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves, Queen's Wharf, St John's cathedral, and Mount Coot-tha Lookout. Much of Brisbane's inner-city neighbourhoods are also characterised by its historic Queenslander architecture. Brisbane is also known for its extensive parks and outdoor attractions including the City Botanic Gardens, Victoria Park, Roma Street Parkland, New Farm Park, the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, the Brisbane Riverwalk, Moreton Bay, Moreton Island and D'Aguilar National Park.
Brisbane is named after the Brisbane River, which in turn was named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, the governor of New South Wales from 1821 to 1825.[25][26] The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic bris, meaning 'to break or smash' and the Old English word ban meaning 'bone'.