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New South Wales

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New South Wales is a large state on the east coast of Australia.

Map NSW 1850 SLNSW FL3688835
Map NSW 1850 SLNSW FL3688835

It sits next to the Coral and Tasman Seas. To its north is Queensland and to its south is Victoria. South Australia sits to its west. The state also contains the Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory inside its borders. Sydney is the capital city of the state.

Sydney Opera House - Dec 2008
Sydney Opera House - Dec 2008

It is also the most populous city in all of Australia. More than 8.6 million people live in New South Wales. Almost two-thirds of these people live in the Greater Sydney area.

Long before any settlers arrived, Aboriginal people lived in this land. They arrived in Australia about 40,000 to 60,000 years ago. An estimated 250,000 Aboriginal people lived in the region before European settlement.

Founding of the settlement of Port Jackson at Botany Bay in New South Wales in 1788 - Thomas Gosse
Founding of the settlement of Port Jackson at Botany Bay in New South Wales in 1788 - Thomas Gosse

In 1770, James Cook charted the eastern coast. He claimed the coastline for Britain. He originally called the land New Wales. Later, he changed the name to New South Wales. In January 1788, Arthur Phillip arrived with the First Fleet. This fleet had 11 vessels and over a thousand settlers.

Many of these people were convicts.

The first settlement was a penal colony. This was a place where convicts lived and worked. At first, they were only supposed to farm for food. Trade and shipbuilding were even banned to keep them isolated. However, things changed after Arthur Phillip left as governor. Military officers began to buy land and trade goods. Farms grew around places like Parramatta, Windsor, and Camden. By 1803, the colony could grow enough grain for itself.

Wool delivery bill 1824
Wool delivery bill 1824

Other jobs like whaling and sealing became very important too.

As time passed, the colony grew and changed. In 1815, a road was finished across the Blue Mountains.

Three Sisters -Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia-20July2012
Three Sisters -Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia-20July2012

This helped people start large farms in the west. Wool became a huge part of the economy. By 1844, wool made up half of all exports.

Wool delivery bill 1824
Wool delivery bill 1824

People also found gold in 1851.

Mr E.H. Hargraves, The Gold Discoverer of Australia, Feb 12th 1851 returning the salute of the gold miners - Thomas Tyrwhitt Balcombe crop
Mr E.H. Hargraves, The Gold Discoverer of Australia, Feb 12th 1851 returning the salute of the gold miners - Thomas Tyrwhitt Balcombe crop

Coal was also found in the early years. By the 1890s, wool, gold, and coal were the main things the colony sold to the world. The government even built railways to help travel.

New South Wales played a big part in making the nation of Australia. A leader named Henry Parkes worked hard for federation. Federation is when separate colonies join to become one country.

Parliament house sydney nsw b.
Parliament house sydney nsw b.

In 1899, people in the state voted in a referendum. They voted yes to join the new federation. On 1 January 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia officially began.

Sydney Harbour Bridge - December 2018
Sydney Harbour Bridge - December 2018

New South Wales was now part of a larger nation. Today, the state remains a very important part of Australia. It has many famous places like the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

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🖼️ Images & Media (28)
File:Sydney at night, 2001 b (cropped).jpg
Sydney at night, 2001 b (cropped).jpg
File:Founding of the settlement of Port Jackson at Botany Bay in New South Wales in 1788 - Thomas Gosse.jpg
Founding of the settlement of Port...
File:Map NSW 1850 SLNSW FL3688835.jpg
Map NSW 1850 SLNSW FL3688835.jpg
File:Wool delivery bill 1824.jpg
Wool delivery bill 1824.jpg
File:George Street Sydney 1883.jpg
George Street Sydney 1883.jpg
File:Mr E.H. Hargraves, The Gold Discoverer of Australia, Feb 12th 1851 returning the salute of the gold miners - Thomas Tyrwhitt Balcombe crop.jpg
Mr E.H. Hargraves, The Gold Discoverer of...
File:Depression "bread wars", corner store on Riley and Fitzroy Streets, Surry Hills, Sydney, 21 August 1934 - Sam Hood (3705360895).jpg
Depression "bread wars", corner store on...
File:Sydney_Opera_House_-_Dec_2008.jpg
Sydney_Opera_House_-_Dec_2008.jpg
File:Charlotte Pass Village in August.jpg
Charlotte Pass Village in August.jpg
File:2014-04-25 Breenhold Gardens, Mount Wilson, New South Wales 02.jpg
2014-04-25 Breenhold Gardens, Mount...
File:My Favourite Valley - panoramio.jpg
My Favourite Valley - panoramio.jpg
File:New South Wales Köppen.svg
New South Wales Köppen.svg

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