Northam | |
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— Federal City — | |
Northam, from top left to bottom right–the city viewed from Mount Ainslie, the Land Axis featuring Federation Hall, the National War Memorial, the National Carillon, the National Gallery of Cygnia and the National Library of Cygnia on Lake Burley Griffin |
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Country | |
Territory | Territory of Swan |
Federal Divisions | • Northam • Fenner • Bean |
Established | 12 March 1800 |
Government | |
- Chief Minister | Andrew Barr |
- Senators | David Smith (L) Zed Seselja (N) |
Elevation | 20 m (66 ft) |
Population (2016) | |
- Total | 403,468 |
- Density | 428.6/km2;(165.5/sq mi) |
- Demonym | Northamite |
Time zone | Western Standard Time (WST) (UTC+8) |
Postal districts | NT1–7, TS |
Website | www.ts.gov |
Northam (Noongar: Mandjar, "meeting place") is the capital city of Cygnia. Its population of 403,468 is larger than two states — New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The city is located at the northern end of the Territory of Swan, directly to the south of Perth, the capital of Carolina. For some purposes, including public transport, Northam is included in the Greater Perth metropolitan area. A resident of Northam is known as a Northamite.
The site of Northam was selected as the location of the nation's capital in 1800. It is a planned city outside of any state, the land on which it was built having been ceded to the federal government by the state of Carolina on 1 January 1800. Construction of the city commenced in 1805, four years after its official establishment. While originally, Northam was not self-governing and was governed directly by Congress, the city in 1989 was granted largely autonomous status, although Congress is still able to override territorial legislation through a majority vote in both houses.
As the seat of government of Cygnia, Northam is the site of Federation Hall, Mandurah Palace, the Supreme Court, the Chancellery, and numerous government ministries, departments and agencies. It is also the location of many social and cultural institutions of national significance, such as the National War Memorial, Cygnian National University, Cygnian Mint, Cygnian Institute of Sport, National Gallery, National Museum and the National Library.
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