Sydney is located on the southeast coast of Australia. With a population of 4 million, Sydney is the largest city in the country. The city is located between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Blue Mountains to the west. Sydney is perhaps most famous for its harbour, which is the largest natural harbor in the world. In Australia it is known as the "Harbour City".
Sydney is Australia's oldest city. The British established it in 1788. It was originally used as a convict settlement for British criminals. The city is named after the British Home Secretary, Thomas Townshend, Lord Sydney.
Sydney was built around its enormous harbour. On the harbour lies the most distinct symbol of Sydney, the Sydney Opera House. It can be said to be one of the most distinctive and famous buildings of the 20th Century. The Opera House has over 1000 rooms, five theaters, five rehearsal studios, two main halls, four restaurants, and six bars.
Another widely recognized icon of Sydney is the Harbour Bridge. The bridges connects Sydney's central business district with the commercial and residential areas. Built in 1932, it is the largest single-arch bridge in the world. The Harbour Bridge and the Opera House give Sydney one of the most recognizable skylines in the world.
Hosting the 2000 Summer Olympics raised the profile of Sydney. The Sydney Olympic Games were regarded as the one of the most successful ever. The closing ceremony featured a fireworks show in the Sydney harbour and the passing of the Olympic flag to Athens.
