Adelaide
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delaide – the capital of South Australia, was established by free settlers in 1836 and was named after the wife of the English King William IV. South Australia has an interesting and slightly unusual history. Since the area surrounding Adelaide is quite dry, it was initially decided to overprice the land so that ordinary farmers would not be able to afford it. The theory was that the rich landowners would put resources and money back into the land, thus benefiting the colony. South Australia had, from the beginning, been promised substantial independence, thus Great Britain did not aid it financially. When the colony stabilised, all the profits stayed in the state treasury and went towards further developing the state into a prospering colony. From 1839 onwards, many Prussian Lutherans began migrating to South Australia, fearing religious prosecution at home. By the early 1840s there were several German settlements in the area. The German immigrants founded the wine industry in South Australia; South Australian wine is exported to many countries all over the world. Adelaide is a well planned city as evidenced by its wide streets and numerous parks. Adelaide used to be called the ‘city of churches’ and, although not all the original churches and cathedrals built are still standing today, many have been preserved and are in working order. Most of the inhabitants of South Australia reside in Adelaide, since much of the state is desert and uninhabitable. Visitors are often drawn to Kangaroo Island – an island reserve inhabited by colonies of seals and sea lions. Here you can also see wombats, echidnas and other Australian animals living in their natural habitat. The Barossa Valley is situated close to Adelaide and is famous for its vineyards. Throughout this lush and peaceful Valley you will also find the famous limestone caves and caves decorated with Aboriginal rock paintings.
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