Victoria

Australia's southernmost and geographically smallest mainland state. Sharing the Murray River as a border with New South Wales to its north, and a border with South Australia to the west, it covers an area considerably larger than the British Isles (IIRC). In this space are topographically, geologically, and climatically diverse areas ranging from the wet, temperate climate of Gippsland? in the south-east, to the snow-covered Victorian alps which rise to nearly 2000 metres, and extensive semi-arid plains to the west and north-west.

The state's capital, Melbourne, contains approximately 70% of the state's population and dominates its economy, media, and culture. Other cities include Geelong?, Ballarat? and Bendigo? with populations of approximately 100,000 each.

Outside the manufacturing and service centre of Melbourne, agriculture dominates the Victorian economy, with its comparatively rich soils and temperature, wet climates compared to the rest of Australia. Major export agricultural activities include beef and dairy cattle, wool and lamb production, and wheat (primarily in the drier western half of the state), with irrigated fruit and vegetable growers around Melbourne and along the Murray River. Wine grape production has been growing rapidly in the past decade or so.

Victoria is generally regarded as the home of Australian Rules Football, with most cities and towns having at least one team.

City of Victoria

The capital of British Columbia, Canada.