Sydney Overview

Overview

Sydney is the capital city of the south-eastern Australian state of New South Wales, situated on Port Jackson, which is more commonly known as 'Sydney Harbour'. With a population of just over 4.2 million, Sydney is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia. Sydney has a worldwide reputation for being one the most beautiful of all cities, brimming with historical associations and remaining vastly globally influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, cuisine and design. Sydney is also home to many unique architectual styles, including Sydney's most recognized architecture: the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, two of the most iconic structures on earth.

The city is also an important place for economic activity and has since become one of the most important cities for finance in the Asia Pacific region. Sydney was also the host of the 2000 Olympic Games, which raised the city's global profile even higher. Sydney is known throughout the world as the 'Harbour City'. Though Sydney is built up of a large population, it still retains many public spaces and lush green parklands. The city centre of Sydney is known simply as 'the City of Sydney'.

Sydney became the centre of the world's attention in September 2000 when the city hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics - officially announced by the IOC Chairman at the Closing Ceremony as "the best games ever"! The Olympics saw a major building and renovation program take hold of Sydney, positioning it as one of the great world cities of the 21st century and will continue to hold its world city status.

One of the most cosmopolitan cities on the planet, Sydney has attracted immigrants from all over the world - Italy, Greece, China, Lebanon, Vietnam, Thailand, South Africa and various Pacific Islands are just some of the backgrounds strongly represented. Sydney's culture, food and general outlook reflect these contributions to the majority Anglo-Celtic cultural basis.

Sydney has a prominent gay community. Every year, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is celebrated at the end of February, drawing people from all over Australia and the world for the celebrations.