Canberra is the capital city of Australia, located between Sydney and Melbourne.
Australia chose Canberra as its national capital because Sydney and Melbourne competed to be the seat of government. The Constitution required the capital to be in New South Wales but at least 100 miles from Sydney, leading to the selection of an inland site in 1908.
The city was planned by the American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Their design used broad avenues, geometric forms, and a strong relationship with the surrounding hills and Lake Burley Griffin. Construction of the federal capital developed during the early 20th century.
Canberra is often confused with Sydney because Sydney is Australia’s largest and internationally best-known city. Sydney, however, is the capital of New South Wales, while Canberra is the capital of the Commonwealth of Australia. Parliament House and many national institutions are in Canberra.