New South Wales Facts

Facts: New South Wales facts, Demographics, Geography, Government, History

New South Wales facts

New South Wales is in the south-east part of the Australian continent and is the most populous and heavily industrialised State in Australia, with a highly urbanised population.

The capital of New South Wales is Sydney, the site of the country's oldest European settlement and its largest and most cosmopolitan city, with ethnic communities from more than 100 countries. The city's icons include The Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Sydney Opera House. Sydney hosted the 2000 Olympic Games, an important international finance centre and home to one of the world's great seaports.

The total area of the State is 802 000 km2 or 10.4 per cent of Australia's total area and includes Lord Howe, a small island in the Pacific Ocean.

We have included information on the people of each region to show some simple statistics on the local demographics. When learning about a new place it's helpful to see how many people live there.

The histories of each region are unique and have moulded communities to what they are today. Knowing a place’s past can help you know the people just a little better. In a similar way, the government and local councils are helping to mould the future of each region and its people.

An appreciation for the landscape gives insight into the environment and its inhabitants. Both inland and offshore geography has had an impact on how the country has developed.

Photo courtesy Tourism New South Wales more

Kurnell Peninsula Headland

The Meeting Place Precinct, Kurnell Peninsula, was the site of first recorded contact between Indigenous people and Britain in eastern Australia, and symbolically represents the birthplace of a nation, and the dispossession of Indigenous people. This symbolism is reinforced by its proximity to Sydney, the site of the first British settlement, as well as its accessibility. more

New South Wales State Flag & Emblems

The New South Wales State flag has been in use since 1876. It includes the Union Jack and the NSW badge. The badge consists of the Cross of St George in red on a white disc with an eight-pointed gold star on each arm and a golden lion in the centre. more