Amazing Facts About New South Wales

Known as the Premier State of Australia, New South Wales is the oldest state of the country. Located on the southeast of Australia, New South Wales is known for its history, vibrant cities, diverse population, endless golden beaches and numerous popular attractions.

Historical Facts

Captain James Cook arrived in New South Wales in 1770 and claimed it for the British, declaring the state uninhabited. However, the place was already inhabited by the aboriginals who spoke the Eora language.

It was Captain Cook who named the state New South Wales, as he felt the place resembled the south coast of Wales.

The first British Colony was founded in 1788 in Sydney Town, when the first fleet with 700 convicts arrived from Britain. This was followed by a group of free settlers in 1793, who settled in Sydney Town.

As more free settlers arrived in New South Wales, the convicts earned their freedom, and the population of Sydney increased.

Originally, the British Colony of New South Wales included almost half of Australia as well as Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and New Zealand. Later, New Zealand, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland separated from New South Wales to become separate colonies.

The current New South Wales got its own parliament in May 1856, but it is only in 1901 that New South Wales or NSW joined the five other states to become a part of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Interesting Facts

Covering an area of 802 square kilometres, the state of NSW makes up for 10% of Australia's land. The small island of Lord Howe in the Pacific Ocean is also a part of the NSW.

NSW's state border measures 4635 km, making it the Australian state with the longest state border.

NSW is home to both interior tablelands and coastal mountains.

NSW is flanked by Queensland to the north, Victoria to the south, South Australia to the west and Pacific Ocean to the east.

The weather of NSW varies as per area. The Northern area enjoys a subtropical climate, while the Southern side has a temperate climate. Moreover, it is extremely hot in the far east of NSW.

New South Wales is not just the most industrialized state but it also has the most number of urbanized population in Australia.

NSW has the largest state economy in the country. Major industries of the state include business services, education, construction, health and manufacturing.

The citizens of Australia have ancestors belonging to English, Australian, Scottish, Chinese and Irish lineage. The state has the most number of Aboriginal Australians in the country.

The top 5 languages spoken in NSW are English, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Arabic and Cantonese.

The NSW Flag has the Union Jack on the top-left corner and the NSW badge (a red cross with a golden lion) at the center. There are also an eight-pointed star on every arm.

The capital city of New South Wales is Sydney, which is also the largest city in Australia.

Sydney, NSW, is also the most populated city in the country, as more than 5.2 million people are believed to live here.

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most popular attractions of NSW. Opened in 1973, this opera house is both a National Heritage as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The roof of the opera house is covered with a million tiles.

Another famous attraction of NSW is the Sydney Harbor Bridge, located right behind the Opera House.

Inaugurated in 1932, a unique thing about the bridge is that the arch of the bridge rises and falls up to 18 cm depending on the temperature.

NSW has several state emblems: Kookaburra is its bird emblem, Waratah is its floral emblem, and Platypus its animal emblem.