|
The History of Canberra goes a long way back, though its original name was not Canberra. For more than 21,000 years, this region was home to the Ngunnawal Aboriginal people, who regularly visited the area for corroborees and feasts. However, European settlement that began in the 1820's changed the History of Canberra to a very great extent. The History of Canberra can be traced back to the time when Australia was made a federation, and there was a conflict between Sydney and Melbourne to become the capital of the new federation. After a widespread exploration, the present site, about 300 kilometers south-west of Sydney on the slopes of the Australian Alps, was selected in 1908 as a consequence of a survey undertaken by Government Surveyor Charles Scrivener. The development of this federal city is also an important aspect of the History of Canberra. An international competition for a city plan was launched, which drew over 137 entries, and the first prize went to American landscape architect Walter Burley Griffin from Chicago. Griffin's plan included a central artificial lake and a 'parliamentary triangle' in which the most significant national buildings were to be positioned. The nearby suburban areas were to have a geometric pattern, which would easily fit into the general topography of the area. The Federal Capital Advisory Committee guided the construction of Canberra, which progressed slowly. The years of the Depression, World War II and post-war shortages however caused delays in the pattern of development. Gradually however Canberra rose above its scruples and went on to become one of the most successful and advanced capital cities of the world.
|
