Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, as well as the third-most populated city in both Australia and Oceania. It is also the most populous city in the Commonwealth of Australia. In addition to having a population of around 2.6 million, Brisbane is located in the heart of the South East Queensland metropolitan region, which has a population of approximately 3.8 million. The core business centre of Brisbane is located on a peninsula formed by the Brisbane River, about 15 kilometres (9 kilometres) from the river's mouth at Moreton Bay, a bay of the Coral Sea. Brisbane, Australia's most populous metropolitan region, stretches in all directions over the undulating floodplain of the Brisbane River Valley, between Moreton Bay and the Taylor and D'Aguilar mountain ranges, and is the country's most populous city. It covers many of Australia's most populous local government areas, the most central of which being the City of Brisbane, which happens to be the country's most populated local government area by population. Brisbane is referred to as "Brisbanite" by locals.
The city and the river are named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, who served as the governor of New South Wales at the time of the city's establishment. The Moreton Bay prison settlement was established in 1824 in Redcliffe as a detention facility for secondary offenders from the colony of Sydney, and it was relocated to North Quay in 1825. When Queensland was granted its independence from New South Wales in 1859, Brisbane was designated as the state's capital. By the late nineteenth century, the city had developed into a significant port and a major centre of immigrant activity. During World War II, the city served as the headquarters for the Allied command in the South West Pacific, as well as the headquarters for General Douglas MacArthur of the United States Army, among other things.
Brisbane is recognised as a global metropolis, and it is a leading research and innovation hub in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the United Nations. The city boasts technological capabilities in areas such as mining research and renewable energy, medicine and biotechnology, cryptocurrencies and digital businesses, and robots, among other areas of expertise. Brisbane is a major transportation centre, with extensive rail, bus, and ferry networks, as well as Australia's busiest airport and third-largest seaport, all of which service the city.
When it comes to diversity, Brisbane is a top contender. With over 32 percent of its metropolitan population being born overseas, Brisbane is frequently rated as one of the world's most livable cities. Brisbane's culture is notable for its Queenslander architecture, spring Jacaranda flowers, and outdoor eating culture, among other things. Brisbane has hosted several important events, including the 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo 88, the 2014 G20 summit, and the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. The city will also hold the Commonwealth Games in 2032.
Brisbane is a major tourist location with many visitors. Moreton Bay and its islands, which include Moreton, North Stradbroke, and St Helena, are among the region's most notable landmarks and attractions. The South Bank Parklands, the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, the City Botanic Gardens, King George Square and City Hall, the Story Bridge, the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens and Lookout, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Howard Smith Wharves, New Farm Park, D'Aguil.