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{{Australia state or territory |
Name = Victoria |
Fullname = State of Victoria|
Flag = Victoria_flag.png |
CoatOfArms = Victoria_state_armorial_ensign_small.jpg |
Map = Victoria locator-MJC.png |
Motto = "Peace and Prosperity" |
Nickname = Garden State|
Capital = Melbourne|
ChiefType = Premier |
Chief = Steve_Bracks|
ChiefParty = ALP |
Viceroy = John_Landy|
ViceroyType = Governor |
PostalAbbreviation = Vic. |
EntityAdjective = State |
GSP = $179,369 |
GSPYear = 2001-02 |
GSPRank = 2nd |
GSPPerCapita = $36,943 |
GSPPerCapitaRank = 4th |
AreaRank = 6th |
TotalArea = 237,629 |
LandArea = 227,416 |
WaterArea = 10,213 |
PercentWater = 4.3 |
PopulationRank = 2nd |
Population = 5,012,700 |
PopulationYear = End of March 2005|
DensityRank = 2nd |
Density = 22.04|
HighestElev = Mt Bogong (1,986 m) |
LowestElev = Sea Level (0m) |
TimeZone = UTC+10 (+11 DST)|
HouseSeats = 37 |
SenateSeats = 12 |
ISOCode = AU-VIC |
Website = www.vic.gov.au
}}
'''Victoria''' is a state located in the south-eastern corner of Australia. It is the smallest mainland state in area, but the most densely populated and urbanised. Victoria began as a farming community in the 1800s, until the discovery of gold transformed it into a leading industrial and commercial centre. In 2005, Victoria's population reached 5,012,700 - making it the second most populous Australian state, after New_South_Wales. Melbourne is Victoria's capital and largest city, with more than 70 per cent of all Victorians living there.
==History==
{{Main|History of Victoria}}
After the founding of the colony of New_South_Wales in 1788, the continent was divided into an eastern half - named New South Wales, and a western half, named New Holland, but under the administration of the colonial government in Sydney. Victoria's first settlement was at Portland, on the west coast of what is now Victoria, Melbourne was founded in 1835 by John_Batman.
In 1851 Gold was discovered at Anderson's Creek near Melbourne, at Ballarat, and subsequently at Bendigo. Later discoveries occurred at many sites across Victoria. This triggered one of the largest gold rushes the world has ever seen. Victoria grew rapidly in both population and economic power. The colony was granted independence from New South Wales in the same year.
In 1901 Victoria became a state in the Commonwealth_of_Australia. Melbourne was the capital of Australia while Canberra was under construction.
==Government==
{{Main|Government of Victoria}}
Victoria has a parliamentary form of government based on the Westminster_System. Legislative power resides in the Parliament consisting of the Governor (the representative of the Queen), the executive (the Government), and two legislative chambers. While Queen Elizabeth II is Victoria's head of state, it is in practice a ceremonial role.
The Parliament_of_Victoria consists of the lower house Legislative Assembly, the upper house Legislative Council and the Queen_of_Australia. Eighty-eight members of the Legislative Assembly are elected to four-year terms from single-member electorates. The Legislative Council consists of 44 members elected to eight-year terms from 22 two-member electorates. Legislative Council elections are staggered so that half the members face election every four years.
The Premier_of_Victoria is the leader of the political party or coalition with the most seats in the Legislative Assembly. The Premier is the public face of government and, with Cabinet, sets the legislative and political agenda. Cabinet consists of representatives elected to either house of parliament. It is responsible for managing areas of government reserved for the states by the Australian_Constitution, such as education, health and law enforcement.
The Governor_of_Victoria has a ceremonial role representing Queen Elizabeth II. The post is usually filled by a retired prominent Victorian. The governor acts on the advice of the Premier and Cabinet.
Victoria has a written constitution. Enacted in 1975, but based on the 1855 colonial constitution, it establishes the parliament as the state's supreme law-making body. The Victorian Constitution can be amended by the parliament without voter approval.
From November 2006, Victorian voters will elected members to the upper house under a revamped system. The Legislative Council will consist of 40 seats, with five representatives each elected from eight new multi-member districts. Minor parties are expected to benefit most from the changes.
===Local Government===
Victoria is incorporated into 79 municipalities for the purposes of local government, including 39 shires, 32 cities, seven rural cities and one borough. Shire and city councils are responsible for functions delegated by the Victorian parliament, such as city planning, road infrastructure and waste management. Council revenue comes mostly from property taxes and government grants.
===Politics===
The Australian_Labor_Party, Liberal_Party_of_Australia and National_Party_of_Australia are Victoria's major political parties. Traditionally, Labor is strongest in Melbourne's inner, working class and western suburbs. The Liberals' main support lies in Melbourne's more affluent eastern and outer suburbs, and some regional centres. The Nationals are strongest in Victoria's regional and rural areas.
==Economy==
Historically and to some extent in contemporary times, Victoria has been home to Gold_mining and Brown_coal mining and Offshore_oil_drilling.
Outside the manufacturing and service centre of Melbourne, agriculture dominates the Victorian economy, with its comparatively rich soils and temperature and wet climates compared to the rest of Australia. Major export agricultural activities include beef and dairy cattle, wool and lamb production and wheat (primarily in the drier western half of the state), with
irrigated fruit and vegetable growers around Melbourne and along the Murray River. Wine grape production grew rapidly during the 1990s.
==Geology and geography==
{{Main|Geology of Victoria}}
Image:Victoria_print_size.jpg
Image:Highways_of_Victoria.PNG]]
Victoria's northern border is the south bank of the Murray_River, the river itself being part of New_South_Wales. It also rests at the southern end of the Great_Dividing_Range, which stretches along the east coast and terminates west of Ballarat. It is bordered by South_Australia to the west. In this space are topographically, geologically and climatically diverse areas ranging from the wet, temperate climate of Gippsland in the southeast to the snow-covered Victorian alpine areas which rise to almost 2000 m (with Mount_Bogong the highest peak at 1986 m) and extensive semi-arid plains to the west and north-west.
There is an extensive series of river systems in Victoria owing to its relatively high (relative to the rest of Australia) rainfall. Most notable is the Murray_River system. Other rivers include: Ovens_River, Goulburn River, King River, Campaspe_River, Loddon_River, Wimmera_River, Elgin_River, Barwon River, Thompson_River, Snowy_River, Latrobe_River, Yarra_River, Maribyrnong_River, Mitta_River and Kiewa_River.
The state symbols include the Pink Heath (state flower), Leadbeater's_Possum (state animal) and the Helmeted_Honeyeater (state bird).
The state's capital, Melbourne, contains approximately 70% of the state's population and dominates its economy, media, and culture. For other cities and towns, see List_of_localities_(Victoria) and Local_Government_Areas_of_Victoria.
==Tourism== Image:TwelveApostles-Gaz.jpg]] Image:GreatOceanRoad1-Gaz.jpg, just south of Lorne]] Some major tourist destinations in Victoria include: Ballarat, Beechworth, Bendigo, Buchan_Caves, Echuca, Fairy_penguins, Geelong, Gippsland_Lakes, Gliding, Great_Ocean_Road, Maldon, Melbourne_Casino, Melbourne_Cricket_Ground, Murray_River_golf_clubs, Port_Fairy_Folk_Festival, Puffing Billy, Skiing_in_Victoria, Sovereign_Hill, The_Twelve_Apostles. Other popular activies include Whale_watching, Hang-gliding and Hot_air_ballooning. ==Culture and sport== Victoria is regarded as the home of Australian_Rules_Football, with 10 of the 16 clubs of the major league (see Australian_Football_League) based in Victoria, and the traditional Grand Final held at the Melbourne_Cricket_Ground. ==See also== * Highways_in_Victoria * History_of_Victoria * List_of_localities_(Victoria) * Parliament_of_Victoria * Politics_of_Victoria * Protected_areas_of_Victoria_(Australia) * State Cricket Team (Bushrangers) * Victorian_Certificate_of_Education * Victorian_Alps ==External links== * Australian Places - a gazetteer of Australian cities, towns and suburbs, many of which are in Victoria * Government website * Victorian Information and History * Official tourism website * Public Transport * Photos of Victoria {{Australia}} * Category:Former_British_colonies De:Victoria_(Australien) Et:Victoria_(Austraalia) Es:Victoria_(Australia) Fr:Victoria_(État) Ko:빅토리아_주 Id:Victoria,_Australia Is:Victoria It:Victoria_(Australia) He:ויקטוריה_(אוסטרליה) Ka:ვიქტორია_(შტატი) La:Victoria,_Australia Lb:Victoria_(Australien) Nl:Victoria_(Australië) Ja:ヴィクトリア州 Pl:Wiktoria_(stan_Australii) Pt:Victoria_(Austrália) Ru:Виктория_(Австралия) Simple:Victoria Fi:Victoria_(Australia) Sv:Victoria,_Australien Uk:Вікторія_(штат)
==Tourism== Image:TwelveApostles-Gaz.jpg]] Image:GreatOceanRoad1-Gaz.jpg, just south of Lorne]] Some major tourist destinations in Victoria include: Ballarat, Beechworth, Bendigo, Buchan_Caves, Echuca, Fairy_penguins, Geelong, Gippsland_Lakes, Gliding, Great_Ocean_Road, Maldon, Melbourne_Casino, Melbourne_Cricket_Ground, Murray_River_golf_clubs, Port_Fairy_Folk_Festival, Puffing Billy, Skiing_in_Victoria, Sovereign_Hill, The_Twelve_Apostles. Other popular activies include Whale_watching, Hang-gliding and Hot_air_ballooning. ==Culture and sport== Victoria is regarded as the home of Australian_Rules_Football, with 10 of the 16 clubs of the major league (see Australian_Football_League) based in Victoria, and the traditional Grand Final held at the Melbourne_Cricket_Ground. ==See also== * Highways_in_Victoria * History_of_Victoria * List_of_localities_(Victoria) * Parliament_of_Victoria * Politics_of_Victoria * Protected_areas_of_Victoria_(Australia) * State Cricket Team (Bushrangers) * Victorian_Certificate_of_Education * Victorian_Alps ==External links== * Australian Places - a gazetteer of Australian cities, towns and suburbs, many of which are in Victoria * Government website * Victorian Information and History * Official tourism website * Public Transport * Photos of Victoria {{Australia}} * Category:Former_British_colonies De:Victoria_(Australien) Et:Victoria_(Austraalia) Es:Victoria_(Australia) Fr:Victoria_(État) Ko:빅토리아_주 Id:Victoria,_Australia Is:Victoria It:Victoria_(Australia) He:ויקטוריה_(אוסטרליה) Ka:ვიქტორია_(შტატი) La:Victoria,_Australia Lb:Victoria_(Australien) Nl:Victoria_(Australië) Ja:ヴィクトリア州 Pl:Wiktoria_(stan_Australii) Pt:Victoria_(Austrália) Ru:Виктория_(Австралия) Simple:Victoria Fi:Victoria_(Australia) Sv:Victoria,_Australien Uk:Вікторія_(штат)