History of Sydney

The capital city of the Australian state of New South Wales, Sydney is the hub of the Australian business and culture. It is located in the south eastern coastal region of Australia and was established in the year 1788 by Arthur Philip. Previously it was called the Harbor City as it was constructed around Port Jackson that comprises of the harbor of Sydney. This city covers an area of about 12,144.6 square km with a population of 4,254,900.

The first fleet had landed in Sydney in the year 1788 and almost 4000 to 8000 people of the Aboriginal sect lived here. Three different languages were spoken earlier and the inhabitants were divided into separate territory and certain resources were available in each of the territories. Gradually the location began to get urbanized and hence the proof of these clans started vanishing. But the rock carvings still remind people about the history.

Lieutenant James Cook arrived at the Bay of Botany in the year 1770 and under the advice of the British Government; this region was founded by Arthur Philip in 1788. The location was named after Lord Sydney who was a member if the British Council. Hundreds of people were killed by a disease, generally thought to be small pox, in 1789 and unwanted conflicts went on in the region surrounding the Hawkesbury River. In the region of Botany Bay, this British Settlement was violently resisted by Pemulwuy who was a warrior. Ultimately by the year 1820, the Aboriginal population had reduced to a minimum and Governor Macquarie was determined to impart education, Christianization and civilization to the rest of the people.

This was the beginning of the urbanization of this wonderful city. The roads, public buildings, various bridges were constructed during this period and by 1822, banks, offices and market places were already built. In 1830s and 1840s, there were numerous people arriving from the British Isles to get settled in the new location. Finally in 20th July 1842, the small town of Sydney was declared as the first Australian city and people from all over the world landed in this city to get settled in a new way. Gradually the tramways and the railways started being constructed and with the establishment of several industries, this city became the centre of entertainment and resources of Australia.

The city is now a cosmopolitan region with an immense development all through the 20th century and the citizens are mainly of British and Irish origin along with people of Italian, Greek and other Asian background.

Sydney is now one of the greatest tourist destinations of the world and is famous for the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge. It w also the host city of various events related to sports, such as the British Empire Games in 1938, the 2000 Summer Olympics and the Rugby World Cup of 2003. This commercial city is rated among the most important cities of the world and is worth visiting.