Australia Capital Territory - ACT
The history of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is tied to Australia's quest to find a suitable place for its capital city. Before the ACT existed, there was a big argument about whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the capital. In 1908, they found a middle ground and decided to build a brand-new city to be the nation's capital. This new city was chosen in 1913 and was named Canberra, which means "meeting place" in an Aboriginal language.
An American architect named Walter Burley Griffin was in charge of designing Canberra. His plan focused on making a city that worked well with the natural surroundings, particularly the Lake Burley Griffin area. Building started in 1913, but World War I slowed things down. As years passed, important government buildings like Parliament House were built as the city grew.
The ACT officially became a federal territory in 1911 under a law called the Seat of Government (Administration) Act. It was meant to be a place for the new national capital. Over time, Canberra grew, becoming Australia's political center. In 1989, it became self-governing, which meant it could govern itself in local matters while the national government still had control over important things. Today, the Australian Capital Territory is a modern and lively city known for its well-planned design, government buildings, culture, and beautiful natural areas, representing Australia's federal democracy.
Queries and Surnames
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