Darwin, Northern Territory

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Central Darwin, circa 1986

Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory, and is a city of 109,419 people (2001 census) on Australia's far north-western coastline. Darwin is reputed to suffer more lightning-strikes than any other inhabited place in the world. It is also home to the territory's only university, Charles Darwin University.

Geography and climate

Darwin is situated in the Northern Territory, on the coast of the Timor Sea at Latitude: 12 27S - Longitude: 130 50E.

Location of Darwin in relation to other major cities

Darwin has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season runs from May to September, in the coolest months of June and July daily temperature range is 19 to 30°C. In the Wet season is associated with tropical cyclones and monsoon rains, the majority of rainfall occurs between December and March, thunderstorms are common and humidity is regularly over 70 per cent

History

Darwin was originally called Palmerston, but was renamed in 1911 after Charles Darwin, who had visited the location in 1839.

During World War II, on February 19, 1942 about 150 Japanese warplanes attacked Darwin.

Darwin was largely destroyed in 1974 by Cyclone Tracy, which killed 49 people and destroyed over 70% of the buildings. The town was subsequently rebuilt with newer materials and techniques.

On September 17, 2003, the Adelaide-Darwin Railway was completed.

Culture

Every two years since 1991, (excluding 2003), Darwin has played host to the Arafura Games, a major regional sporting event.

Looking north towards Darwin from the Charles Darwin National Park on the city's outskirts

External link

• Darwin City Council site

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