Perth

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. With a population of over 2 million, it is the fourth-most populous city in Australia. Perth is part of the South West Land Division of Western Australia, with most of the metropolitan area on the Swan Coastal Plain between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Scarp.

History

The area of Perth was originally inhabited by the Whadjuk people, who are part of the larger Noongar group. The first European to visit the area was Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog in 1616. The British settlement of Perth was founded on 12 August 1829 as the Swan River Colony with the help of Irish and Welsh immigrants.

Geography

Perth is set on the Swan River, named for the native black swans by Willem de Vlamingh, captain of a Dutch expedition and namer of WA's Rottnest Island. The city centre and most of the suburbs are located on the sandy and relatively flat Swan Coastal Plain, which lies between the Darling Scarp and the Indian Ocean.

Economy

Perth's economy has been changing in favour of the service industries since the 1950s. Although one of the major sets of services it provides is related to the resources industry and, to a lesser extent, agriculture, most people in Perth are not connected to either; they have jobs that provide services to other people in Perth.

Culture

Perth is home to four public universities: the University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Murdoch University, and Edith Cowan University. There is also one private university, the University of Notre Dame. Perth is also home to a number of major theatre, music, and art venues, including the Perth Cultural Centre, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth Concert Hall, and the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia.

See also

• History of Perth, Western Australia
• Geography of Perth
• Economy of Perth
• Culture of Perth

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