Melbourne

Melbourne, whose residents are called Melburnians, is the state capital of Victoria. Directly fronting Port Phillip Bay to the south, the region is a coastal metropolis situated along the south-eastern borders of the Australian mainland. An estimated population of over 4.07 million people makes it the most populous city in the state, as well as second in the country. Its land area of 8,806 square kilometres covers several Local Government Areas, Counties, State Districts, and Federal Divisions.

Established in August 1835, Melbourne was officially declared a city in 1847 by Queen Victoria, monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland between 1837 and 1901. In 1837, Sir Richard Bourke, Governor of the Colony of New South Wales between 1831 and 1837, named the metropolis in honour of William Lamb-the 2nd Viscount Melbourne. The locality was proclaimed the capital of Victoria in 1851. The Victorian gold rush of the 1850s helped develop the area into the city it is today.

Tourism is one of the most important industries in Melbourne, thanks to its numerous attractions:

Resident and visiting tourists alike might best appreciate Melbourne through an exploration of its culture and history. As such, one might begin with a visit to some of the city's relevant sites, like the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Australian Racing Museum, Immigration Museum, Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre, Melbourne International Fine Art Gallery, and Old Melbourne Gaol. To complement a tour of these locations, one might also participate in some of the metropolitan area's local events, such as the Australian Open Tennis Championships, Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and Moomba Festival.

Melburnians are able to regularly withdraw from their daily routines, thanks to the many facilities within the metropolis that allow for leisure activities. These locales include the Alexandra Gardens, Birrarung Marr, Federation Square, Kings Domain, Melbourne Park, Olympic Park, Queen Victoria Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, and State Library of Victoria.

Thanks to its various commercial outlets, locals and visitors alike can sample some of the best products in Melbourne. Some of the more relevant locations include the 206 Bourke, Australia on Collins, Melbourne Central, Queen Victoria Market, and QV.