According to abbreviationfinder, Canberra is the capital of Australia and has a population of over 345,000 residents. The name of Canberra derives from the aboriginal word “kanberra” and means “meeting place”. See population of Australia.
History
Canberra is a modern city, with an urban planning approach that dates back to 1912, when an international competition for the design of the Australian capital was organized, which was won by Walter Burley Griffin, an American architect.
Already in 1901 the need for a state capital had been seen and one wanted to build one in the best possible way. In 1908, the area in which Canberra sits was chosen as the future capital and in 1913 the city was officially named “Canberra”.
Curiosities
Some of the most important buildings in Canberra are the Parliament House and the Old Parlament House, precincts that house the country’s government. Admission is free in the first but not in the second. To highlight, the gardens of the Old Parliament House.
Transport
Airports
The Canberra International Airport is just 8 minutes from the center of the city. Tourist information can be obtained inside the airport, as the Canberra Tourism & Events Corporation has a counter that is open to the public from 8.30 am to 11.30 am so that brochures, maps and other utilities can be collected.
According to the schedules provided by the web, between the flights that arrive at the airport and that depart from it there are no flights to or from Europe or Latin America, so if you want to get to Canberra by plane from another continent you will have to make a stopover.
Cab
Taxis operate throughout the city but it is advisable to call them by phone or wait for them at a stop. CanberraCabs has been operating since 1959 to provide taxi services to the capital. On their website you can use their rate estimator to find out the approximate price of a certain route.
Car
You can rent a car from various rental companies or, if you are planning a long stay, purchase a vehicle. To get an idea of road communications in the city of Canberra, you can consult this map.
Train
Countrylink offers services from Canberra to other areas of the country and to Canberra.
Bike
The city has a fairly extensive network of cycle paths that can be consulted on any Cycleways Map (for sale at Visitor Centers, bookstores and newsagents) and bicycles can be rented at Spokes Bike Hire in Acton. In addition, thanks to the Bike’n Ride service, in force since April 2005, bus lines are incorporating bicycle racks.
In Pedal Power ACT you can find more complete information about cycling in Canberra.
Public transport
ACTION is in charge of providing public bus transport for Canberra residents, and their website has useful information on routes, timetables, and ticket fares (single and vouchers). For tourists, the Daily Tickets are really recommended, which give unlimited access for a full day to the ACTION buses and the Off Peak Daily Tickets, which work the same as the previous ones but are valid during non-peak hours: from 9 from the morning to 4.30 in the afternoon and from 6 in the afternoon on weekdays, and all day on weekends and holidays.
If you are studying in Australia, there are also special rates that may interest you. Consult the Student Transport Program to find out about the possibility of being a beneficiary of the program and the most advantageous conditions for you in this case.
Climate
The climate in Canberra responds in general to the most outstanding characteristics of the Australian climate, that is, hot summers and “mild” to relatively cold winters. The annual average of precipitations is of 629 mm and the average of rainy days to the year is of 108. The wettest month is usually October while the driest is usually June. Despite these generally pleasant temperatures, you can go skiing just three hours from Canberra by car.
Australian Sports
Sport, supported by a climate that favors outdoor activities, plays an important role in Australian culture. 23.5% of Australians over 15 years of age regularly participate in organized sporting activities. [29] Internationally, Australia has important teams in Cricket, Hockey, Netball, Rugby League and rugby union; and also excels in Cycling, Rowing and Swimming. On a national scale, other popular sports include Australian Football, Horse Racing, Soccer, and Motor Racing. Australia has participated in each edition of the modern-era Olympic Games and in all Commonwealth Games. It has hosted the 1956 and 2000 Olympic Games and has been among the five countries with the most medals won since the 2000 Games. Furthermore, it is the only country in the southern hemisphere to have won any gold medals at the Olympic Games in Winter.
The Commonwealth Games of 1938, 1962, 1982 and 2006 were also held in Australia. Other major international events that frequently take place in this country include the Formula 1 race known as the Australian Grand Prix, international cricket competitions. In tennis, Australians are known for their serve and volley play and enjoy tennis players of the quality of Lleyton Hewitt, Samantha Stosur, or Alicia Molik among others, they also celebrate the Australian Open in Melbourne, one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. Televised sport is also popular; Some of the highest marks in audience ratings were reached by programs that televised the Olympic Games and the finals of soccer competitions, both local and international. The Cycling is a sport booming, with figures such as Cadel Evans, Michael Rogers, Stuart O’Grady and Robbie McEwen to head the Australia II in 1983 proclaimed winner of the Cup America sailing. This being the first time, in the history of the America’s Cup, that a non-American ship proclaimed itself the winner of the Hundred Guineas Cup.
