Darwin is the capital of the northern territoriesAustralia. In this area it is considered the most populous, but among the capitals of the country - the smallest. Darwin (Australia) is the only city in the country that was bombed during the Second World War. The buildings were rebuilt one more time, after a devastating cyclone in 1974. Now Darwin is considered a very modern city in architectural terms.
City `s history
The territory was inhabited by aborigines before the timeEuropean colonization. Here they traded with other parts of Australia and Asia. In the XVII century on the northern lands of the country for the first time stepped the foot of a European - the Dutch arrived.
They were the first European maps of the area.The British visited Darwin in Australia in 1839. Captain John Wickham named the port in honor of the famous scientist Charles Darwin, as he sailed on the same ship in early expeditions. Only in 1911 this name was officially approved.
The northern territories were governed by South Australiauntil 1901. Then a commonwealth was formed. In 1890, the first telegraph pole was set up here, and the city received a postal message with the entire territory of the country.
The climate of the city
Darwin rested comfortably on the shore of the Timor Sea, directly opposite the homonymous bay. Basically the surface here is low and flat. Along the coast there is a succession of excellent picturesque beaches.
The climate in the city is tropical, dry and wetSeasons are pronounced. The dry season lasts from April to October. At this time in the city is sunny and comfortable. There is almost no rain in these months. As can be seen from the Darwinian climate graph (Australia), the coldest months in the city are June and July.
The rainy season in Darwin is tropical cyclonesand monsoons. From December to March, the greatest amount of precipitation falls. Rains do not go round the clock without stopping - often they are replaced by sunny days. November is considered the hottest month of the year in the northern part of the Australian continent.
City of Darwin (Australia): population
According to the 2010 census, the city's populationis 127 500 people. The strongest growth was observed in the post-war years. This is due to the fact that many European peoples migrated to the cities of this continent. In the 60 years of the twentieth century, the wave of migration of Greeks and Italians swept Darwin. Currently, there is a flow of migrants from the countries of South-East Asia. More than 18% of city residents were born outside of it. But do not leave the city and the aborigines - they are almost 10%.
How to get to Darwin in Australia?
Of course, the most convenient and fastest way to get there isto the city - the plane. The airport is located 13 km from the center. To get from the airport to the city will help special shuttles, they meet every arriving flight. Lovers of speed and comfort can take advantage of taxi services.
Suburban railway city is notIt has. But lovers of trains can not be upset, for them there is a train "Gan", the next from Adelaide. The ticket price is high, but all the tourists are very happy with the impressions of the trip.
With the city of Port Augusta, Darwin connects the Stuart Highway. It crosses the whole country from north to south.
Hotels, shops and restaurants
Darwin (Australia) welcomes guests hospitably,offering them more than a hundred hotels to choose from. Great demand is for hotels with a rating of "three stars", where prices for accommodation start at $ 50 per day.
Four-star hotels offer prices from $ 350 per day. Among the hotels popular is Value. Tourists love this place for reasonable prices and convenient location, proximity to the sea.
Do not imagine a vacation without shopping?Darwin will please you with numerous shopping centers, shops and markets. In addition to magnets and ordinary souvenirs, you need to bring home a kangurin leather product. Shopaholics also buy shoes, because Darwin is famous for its quality.
The national instrument didgeridoo will be an excellent reminder of the trip. A tube of eucalyptus will cost about ten dollars.
Restaurants of the city are famous for their variety, there is something to surprise lovers of Japanese, Chinese, German, Russian and, of course, Australian cuisine.
Darwin (Australia): sightseeing of the city
Any tourist will find what to do in this unusual city, where modernity and historical traditions are intertwined. There are a lot of attractions, both natural and historical.
The historical sights of the city include Darwin Shipyard, Fannie Bay prison, military cemetery, architect's house and the building of the old court.
The museum and gallery of the northern lands of the continent offer tourists a glimpse of interesting historical exhibitions.
The natural beauty of Darwin (Australia) offers much more extensive. The park near the harbor, which has already turned 200 years old, a huge botanical garden, Darwin National Park amaze with its beauty.
In 69 km from the city there is a natural park "Fogg-Dam". A huge variety of birds, kangaroos and wild boars will please children and adults.
The Kakadu National Park is the largest incountry. The best time to visit is July or August. During the rainy season the park is covered with salt swamps, and it is inhabited by buffaloes, wild boars, crocodiles and snakes.
In the dry period the swamps dry up, leaving ponds covered with flowering lilies. A huge number of species of birds, reptiles, insects attracts more visitors.
Darwin stands a little away from the civilized world. Here, the traditions of aborigines and modern novelties coexist. Visit the city is at least for the sake of it.
