South Australia

South Australia is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of 983,482 square kilometres (379,725 sq mi), it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, and fifth largest by population. It has a total of 1.77 million people, and its population is the second most highly centralised in Australia, after Western Australia, with more than 77 percent of South Australians living in the capital, Adelaide, or its environs. Other population centres in the state are relatively small; Mount Gambier, the second largest centre, has a population of 28,684.

History

South Australia was proclaimed a British colony on 28 December 1836, near The Old Gum Tree in what is now the suburb of Glenelg North. The event is commemorated in South Australia as Proclamation Day. The site of the colony's capital was surveyed and laid out by Colonel William Light, the first Surveyor-General of South Australia, through the design known as Light's Vision.

Geography

South Australia is bordered by all of the other mainland states, and with the Northern Territory; it is bordered to the west by Western Australia, to the north by the Northern Territory, to the north-east by Queensland, to the east by New South Wales, to the south-east by Victoria, and to the south by the Great Australian Bight and the Indian Ocean.

Economy

The state's economy is dominated by the agricultural, manufacturing and mining industries. The state has an annual rainfall of 600 mm, making it the driest state in the driest inhabited continent.

Culture

South Australia is known for its festivals and fine produce. The state's cultural institutions are notably vibrant and include a burgeoning live music scene and many notable artworks.

Government

The Government of South Australia, also referred to as the South Australian Government, SA Government or Her Majesty’s Government is a democratic constitutional government, of the state of South Australia.

Education

Education in South Australia consists of three tiers: primary education (reception to year 7), secondary education (years 8 to 12) and tertiary education (universities and TAFE colleges).

See Also

• Adelaide
• Proclamation Day
• Light's Vision
• Great Australian Bight
• Indian Ocean
• Government of South Australia

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