Australian Capital Territory (abbreviated ACT) (formerly, "The Territory for the Seat of Government" and, later, the "Federal Capital Territory") is a territory in the south east of Australia, enclaved within New South Wales. It is the smallest self-governing internal territory in Australia. The most populous city is Canberra, the capital city of Australia.
The need for a National Territory was flagged by colonial delegates during the Federation conventions of the late 19th century. Section 125 of the Australian Constitution provided that following Federation in 1901, land would be ceded freely to the new Federal Government. The territory was transferred to the Commonwealth by the state of New South Wales in 1911, two years prior to the naming of Canberra as the National Capital in 1913. The floral emblem of the ACT is the Royal Bluebell and the bird emblem is the Gang-gang Cockatoo.
Read more about Australian Capital Territory: Geography, Governance, Demographics, Education
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“Beyond the horizon, or even the knowledge, of the cities along the coast, a great, creative impulse is at work—the only thing, after all, that gives this continent meaning and a guarantee of the future. Every Australian ought to climb up here, once in a way, and glimpse the various, manifold life of which he is a part.”
—Vance Palmer (1885–1959)
“The capital is become an overgrown monster; which like a dropsical head, will in time leave the body and extremities without nourishment and support.”
—Tobias Smollett (1721–1771)
“Size is not grandeur, and territory does not make a nation.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)