Sydney is the most populous city in Australia, it is the state capital of New South Wales and the site of the first British colony in Australia. The Sydney region, referred then by the local aborigines as Warrane, itself has been inhabited for at least 50,000 years. Sydney was first visited by the British in 1770 when Captain James Cook and Joseph Banks sailed the Endeavor into Botany Bay. The First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay in 1788 led by HMS Sirius and under the command of Governor Arthur Phillip, a total of 11 ships brought convicts and officials with plans to establish a colony.
Sydney’s climate is pleasantly moderate, with a mild winter and over 340 sunny days per year. Because Sydney's coastal suburbs are surrounded by seawater, temperature conditions are buffered and sea breezes keep the hot days cool. Head out west, even a few kilometers, and the extremes are greater. You won't see snow in Sydney, and even frosts are rare near the coast.
According to the Mercer cost of living survey, Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city, and the 21st most expensive in the world. It is the gateway to Australia, one of the world's most economically resilient, politically stable and globally competitive business locations. The economic sectors in Sydney, measured by numbers of people employed, include property and business services, manufacturing, retail, health and community services. The city offers a more cost competitive office location than other major business centers and an open and efficient regulatory environment.
Public transport is an easy way to get around the city. There are various travel cards available, such as the SydneyPass, which give you unlimited bus, ferry and central train travel. Central Train Station, Circular Quay, Town Hall and Wynyard are major city terminuses for buses as well as trains. You can catch ferries and Jetcats at Circular Quay.
Sydney and surrounding regions attract students from all over the world. All universities offer a broad range of courses including degrees in the arts, sciences, business studies and humanities. Beyond this, each university has specializations and strengths which make it unique. Sydney has public, denominational and independent schools. Public schools, including pre-schools, primary and secondary schools, and special schools are administered by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training.
Sydney culture is diverse in nature. It is a blend of various individual cultures that have emigrated from other nations. The cultural diversity of Sydney can be analyzed by dividing the population of this Australian city on the basis of their religion, ethnicity and language. Nightlife culture at Sydney is gaining prominence day by day. Many clubs, pubs and lounges have been started in various parts of this Australian city. Apart from these, people here also like to spend their nightlife attending rock concerts. Sydney hosts many different festivals and some of Australia's largest social and cultural events.
The Sydney Opera House is Australia's best-known contemporary building. The Opera House is situated on Bennelong Point, which reaches out into the harbour. The skyline of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the blue water of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House, viewed from a ferry or from the air, is dramatic and unforgettable.
