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Victoria (state)

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Victoria is a state located in southeastern Australia.

Melbourne skyline sor
Melbourne skyline sor

It is the second-smallest state in the country, but it is also very crowded. More people live in Victoria than in any other state except New South Wales.

ABS-3101.0-AustralianDemographicStatistics-EstimatedResidentPopulationStatesTerritories-EstimatedResidentPopulation-Persons-Victoria-A2060844K
ABS-3101.0-AustralianDemographicStatistics-EstimatedResidentPopulationStatesTerritories-EstimatedResidentPopulation-Persons-Victoria-A2060844K

The state sits near the Bass Strait to the south. To the north, it meets New South Wales. To the west, it borders South Australia. The Southern Ocean is to the southwest, and the Tasman Sea is to the southeast.

Victoria Köppen
Victoria Köppen

The land in Victoria looks very different depending on where you go. In the northeast, you can find the high Victorian Alps. Other parts of the state are semi-arid, which means they are quite dry. Many people live in the central-south area near Port Phillip. This area includes Greater Melbourne, which is the state capital.

Melbourne at night from the International Space Station
Melbourne at night from the International Space Station

Melbourne is the second-largest city in all of Australia. The state also has other large cities like Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo.

Town Hall, Geelong
Town Hall, Geelong

Aboriginal groups have lived on this land for a very long time. Some evidence shows people lived in the Maribyrnong River valley 40,000 years ago.

State Library of Victoria - right side
State Library of Victoria - right side

These people were skilled at fishing, hunting, and gathering food. They also farmed eels. Many different groups lived here, such as the Wurundjeri and the Gunditjmara. Before Europeans arrived, there were more than 30 different Aboriginal languages spoken. Long ago, the area around Port Phillip was dry land instead of a bay.

Melbourne University south lawn
Melbourne University south lawn

European history in Victoria changed very quickly in the 1800s. The first settlement was at Sullivan Bay in 1803. In 1851, Victoria became its own colony and was named after Queen Victoria.

VIC Parliament
VIC Parliament

Just days after it became a colony, people found gold near Ballarat and Bendigo. This started a huge gold rush that brought people from Ireland and China.

Lane of Chinatown (6760133489)
Lane of Chinatown (6760133489)

In just ten years, the population grew from 76,000 to 540,000 people. This gold made the state very wealthy and helped it grow.

Today, Victoria is a busy place with a strong economy. It is known for many things, including its many museums and art galleries.

Melbourne skyline sor
Melbourne skyline sor

In 2016, a company even called Melbourne the sporting capital of the world.

2017 AFL Grand Final panorama during national anthem
2017 AFL Grand Final panorama during national anthem

The state is governed by a Parliament with two houses. The current leader is Premier Jacinta Allan. Margaret Gardner serves as the Governor of Victoria.

VIC Parliament
VIC Parliament

The state is also divided into 79 local government areas to help manage the land.

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🖼️ Images & Media (19)
File:Doudiet Swearing allegiance to the Southern Cross.jpg
Doudiet Swearing allegiance to the...
File:Melbourne at night from the International Space Station.jpg
Melbourne at night from the International...
File:Victoria Köppen.svg
Victoria Köppen.svg
File:ABS-3101.0-AustralianDemographicStatistics-EstimatedResidentPopulationStatesTerritories-EstimatedResidentPopulation-Persons-Victoria-A2060844K.svg
ABS-3101.0-AustralianDemographicStatistics...
File:Melbourne skyline sor.jpg
Melbourne skyline sor.jpg
File:Lane of Chinatown (6760133489).jpg
Lane of Chinatown (6760133489).jpg
File:VIC Parliament.jpg
VIC Parliament.jpg
File:Vic legislative council 1878.jpg
Vic legislative council 1878.jpg
File:Town Hall, Geelong.jpg
Town Hall, Geelong.jpg
File:Camberwell High School.jpg
Camberwell High School.jpg
File:Melbourne University south lawn.jpg
Melbourne University south lawn.jpg
File:Deakin University Burwood Campus.jpg
Deakin University Burwood Campus.jpg

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