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Melbourne, VICTORIA

Melbourne is known as the fashion and arts capital of Australia. It is the capital of Victoria—Australia’s smallest but most densely populated state (with Melbourne’s population being 3.5 million). Melbourne has twice been ranked by The Economist as the world’s most livable city—in 2002 and 2004 (coming second to Vancouver in 2005).

Melbourne is a truly multicultural city, with thriving communities of migrants from all over the world. This eclectic mix is reflected in the city’s restaurants, museums, galleries, literature and theatres, as well as in the local shops and markets which can stock an exciting array of exotic ingredients. The music and film industries in Melbourne are strong, with many local talents going on to succeed on the world stage. The Melbourne International Film Festival draws film buffs from all over Australia and the world, but perhaps Melbourne’s best known cultural event is the Melbourne Comedy Festival, attracting comedians and crowds from all over the world.

Melbourne, known as one of the most sports-mad cities in the world, is also home to Australian Rules football. The AFL (Australian Football League) is something of a religion in the city, and reaches fever pitch at grand final time in September. Other sports with a high profile are cricket, basketball, netball and soccer, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games have also had the city buzzing.

Often referred to as the ‘garden city’, Melbourne boasts many magnificent parks and gardens close to the central business district. These are complemented by the extensive walking and cycling trails around the city, and the excellent public transport network, which encompasses buses, trains and trams.

One of Australia’s major industrial and commercial centres, Melbourne has the largest sea port in the country and is the headquarters of one third of Australia’s multinational companies. The city continues to grow by approximately 50,000 people each year, with new housing developments continuing to appear on the edges of the ever-sprawling metropolis.

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