Victoria (Australia)

Victoria is a state located in the south-eastern corner of Australia. It is the smallest mainland state in area, but the most densely populated and urbanised. Victoria began as farming community in the 1800s, until the discovery of gold transformed it into a leading industrial and commercial centre. In 2005, Victoria's population reached 5,012,700 - making it the second most populous Australian state, after New South Wales. Melbourne is Victoria's capital and largest city, with more than 70 per cent of all Victorians living there.

Economy

Historically and to some extent in contemporary times, Victoria has been home to gold mining and brown coal mining and offshore oil drilling.

Related Topics:
Gold mining - Brown coal - Offshore oil drilling

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Outside the manufacturing and service centre of Melbourne, agriculture dominates the Victorian economy, with its comparatively rich soils and temperature and wet climates compared to the rest of Australia. Major export agricultural activities include beef and dairy cattle, wool and lamb production and wheat (primarily in the drier western half of the state), with

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irrigated fruit and vegetable growers around Melbourne and along the Murray River. Wine grape production grew rapidly during the 1990s.

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