Brisbane

Brisbane is the capital city of the Australian state of Queensland.

It is the third-most populous city in Australia. Currently, approximately 2.8 million people live in the city.

The city sits at the center of South East Queensland. This urban and bio-geographical region has about 4.1 million people. The central business district occupies a peninsula of the Brisbane River. This peninsula is located near the river's mouth at Moreton Bay.

The geography of Greater Brisbane is defined by its hilly floodplain.

The land sits between the Taylor and D'Aguilar mountain ranges. It also lies between these mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The city is governed by the Brisbane City Council. This council includes 26 locally-elected councillors and a lord mayor. The City of Brisbane LGA is the most populous local government area in Australia. Residents of the city are often called Brisbanites.

The history of the region began long before European arrival.

The Yagara, Turrbal, and Quandamooka peoples inhabited the area for over 22,000 years. They used the Brisbane River, or Maiwar, for economic and ceremonial life. Major camps existed at sites like Barambin and Woolloon-cappem. Later, a penal settlement was established at Redcliffe in 1824. This was a place for secondary offenders from the Sydney colony. In 1825, the settlement moved to North Quay on the river. It was named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, the Governor of New South Wales.

Brisbane grew significantly after it became the capital of Queensland in 1859.

During the mid-19th century, free settlement and pastoralists expanded along the river. The city also became a key Western Pacific port. It served as a transit point for South Sea Islander indentured labourers. Many historians view this trade as a form of slavery or coercion. This period also saw diverse migration from German, Scottish, Irish, Chinese, and Russian groups. These groups helped make the city cosmopolitan for its size.

Natural disasters have shaped the city's development throughout its history.

In 1864, two destructive fires destroyed much of the commercial center. This led to new laws requiring brick construction instead of timber. In 1893, the Great Flood inundated large areas of the city. This flood swept away the first Victoria Bridge. The city also faced the 1896 Pearl ferry disaster. This event resulted in the deaths of an estimated 80 to 100 people. Later, the 1974 flood caused extensive damage and led to the building of Wivenhoe Dam.

During World War II, Brisbane became a vital Allied headquarters.

The Allied command in the South West Pacific was based here. General Douglas MacArthur established his headquarters at MacArthur Chambers. Many American and Australian personnel were stationed in the metropolitan area. This wartime presence changed daily life through rationing and rapid construction. In the following decades, the city experienced large-scale immigration and suburban expansion. This growth helped transform Brisbane into a multicultural hub.

Today, Brisbane is a global center for research and innovation.

It serves as a major transport hub with rail, bus, and ferry networks. The Port of Brisbane and Brisbane Airport are major gateways. The city is also known as Australia's most biodiverse and greenest city. South Bank is a major cultural precinct and a top tourist spot. It attracts over 16 million visitors every year.

The city has hosted the 1982 Commonwealth Games and World Expo 88. It is also preparing to host the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.