Adelaide (city)

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Capital and chief port of South Australia; population (2001 est) 1,072,600. Adelaide is situated on the River Torrens, 11 km/7 mi from the Gulf of St Vincent. The city is the economic and cultural centre of South Australia, and a major focus for rail, road, sea and air routes. This position, combined with the availability of many raw materials, has favoured considerable industrial development. Power sources include natural gas, piped into Adelaide from the Gidgealpa gas fields of the Cooper Basin. Industries include oil refining, shipbuilding, textiles, machinery, chemicals and electronics, and the manufacture of electrical goods, cars and motor components. Grain, wool, fruit, and wine, including much produce from the basin of the Murray River which has no port at its outlet to the sea, are exported from Port Adelaide, 11 km/7 mi northwest of the city and with facilities for both container and passenger traffic. Adelaide was founded in 1836 and named after the queen of William IV. The city's fine buildings include Parliament House, Government House, the Anglican cathedral of St Peter, and the Roman Catholic cathedral of St Francis Xavier (built 1856–1926).

History
Settlement was first proposed in the Adelaide region in 1829, although unlike other Australian settlements the new colony would not be a convict settlement. A proposal was put forward to sell Crown Land to new settlers and use the proceeds to fund the emigration of labourers to the new colony. After several attempts the plan became a reality, and in 1836 a fleet of eight ships under John Hindmarsh, first Governor of South Australia, arrived at Holdfast Bay, 10 km/6 mi downstream at the mouth of the River Torrens. Upon arrival, the new settlers camped at Holdfast Bay while William Light selected and planned a suitable site for the colony's settlement. Initially, the population grew slowly, since many settlers were more interested in property speculation than the development of the colony. By 1840, however, the population had reached about 14,000, and after 1842 the city prospered with the discovery of the copper resources in the nearby areas (these are now exhausted).

The flag's colours date back to the 14th century. The bicolour is identical to that of Indonesia except in its ratio. Effective date: 4 April 1881. >>