What is the Australian Capital Territory?
The Australian Capital Territory, or ACT, is the federal territory surrounding Canberra. It was created in 1911 from land in New South Wales so the national capital would not belong to any state.
The ACT covers about 2,358 square kilometres and is completely surrounded by New South Wales. More than 450,000 people live there, most of them in Canberra. Large areas in the south are protected in Namadgi National Park.
For decades the territory was run by the federal government. It gained self-government in 1989 and now has its own Legislative Assembly and a Chief Minister rather than a premier. The federal Parliament can still override some territory laws.
Seat of national government
Parliament House, the High Court, many government departments and national institutions such as the Australian War Memorial and the National Gallery are located in the ACT, making it the political heart of the country.
Canberra regularly ranks among Australia's most educated and highest-earning cities. The Australian National University, founded in 1946, is one of the country's leading research universities.
Did You Know?
The ACT is the smallest of Australia's mainland states and territories by area.