| Adelaide
is the capital and most populous city of the Australian
state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city
in Australia, with a population of over 1.1 million. It
is a coastal city beside the Southern Ocean, and is situated
on the Adelaide Plains, north of the Fleurieu Peninsula,
between the Gulf St. Vincent and the low-lying Mount Lofty
Ranges. It is a roughly linear city: it is 20 km from
the coast to the foothills, but it stretches 90 km from
Gawler at its northern extent to Sellicks Beach in the
south.
Named in honour of Queen Adelaide, the
consort of King William IV, the city was founded in 1836
as the planned capital for the only freely-settled British
province in Australia. Colonel William Light, one of Adelaide's
founding fathers, designed the city and chose its location
close to the River Torrens.
Inspired by William Penn, Light's design
set out Adelaide in a grid layout, interspaced by wide
boulevards and large public squares, and entirely surrounded
by parkland. Early Adelaide was shaped by religious freedom
and a commitment to political progressivism and civil
liberties, which led to world-first reforms. Adelaidean
society remained largely puritan up until the 1970s, when
a set of social reforms under the premiership of Don Dunstan
resulted in a cultural revival. Today Adelaide is known
for its many festivals as well as for its wine, arts and
sports.
As South Australia's seat of government
and commercial centre, Adelaide is the site of many governmental
and financial institutions. Most of these are concentrated
in the city centre along the cultural boulevard of North
Terrace and in various districts of the metropolitan area.
Adelaide is sometimes referred to as
the "City of Churches." From its earliest, Adelaide
attracted immigrants from many countries, particularly
German migrants escaping religious persecution. They brought
with them the vine cuttings that founded the acclaimed
wineries of the Barossa Valley. After the Second World
War Italians, Greeks, Dutch, Polish, and possibly every
other European nationality came to make a new start. An
influx of Asian immigrants following the Vietnam War added
to the mix. These new arrivals have blended to form a
rich and diverse cuisine and vibrant restaurant culture.
Adelaide's arts scene flourished in
the 1970s under the leadership of premier Don Dunstan,
removing some of the more puritanical restrictions on
cultural activities then prevalent around Australia. Now
the city is home to events such as the Barossa Music Festival,
the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Adelaide Film Festival,
Adelaide Festival of Ideas, Come Out youth arts festival,
and the Fringe Festival, among others. WOMADelaide, Australia's
premier world music event, is now annually held in the
scenic surrounds of Botanic Park, emphasising Adelaide's
dedication to the arts which has prevailed since the days
of Don Dunstan.
The annual Royal Adelaide Show, first
held in 1840, began as a simple event for the state's
farmers to show off their produce. Over time, it grew
into a more general commercial fair held in early September
in the inner suburb of Wayville, with carnival rides,
food and entertainment surrounding the more traditional
agricultural exhibitions and competitions.
The music of Adelaide has produced
various musicians who have achieved both national and
worldwide fame. Notably the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra,
the Adelaide Youth Orchestra, The Mark of Cain, The Superjesus,
Testeagles, The Angels, Cold Chisel and Eric Bogle. American
artist Ben Folds considers Adelaide his second home, epitomised
in his song "Adelaide" and resides here with
his Adelaide-born wife for a number of months each year.
The first Australian Idol winner, Guy Sebastian hails
from the Adelaide suburb of Golden Grove. Hardcore metal
band I Killed the Prom Queen also emerged from Adelaide
and the popular Australian hip-hop outfit Hilltop Hoods
come from Blackwood.
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