Darwin, Northern Territory

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.

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 (http://www.darcity.nt.gov.au/)

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