History of Adelaide
Adelaide was initially inhabited by the Kaurna Aboriginal nation, and this was before the British settlement. It was divided into Adelaide Plains and surrounding regions, which spread from Cape Jervis in the southern side to Port Wakefield in the northern side.
Some of the customs that made this region very unique were the controlled bushfires that they would have. However with time this population kept decreasing and by mid 1800s the population of the Kaurna was about 600 in the Adelaide region.
The developing Adelaide
There was an economic boom after World War 1, which saw Adelaide gain momentum in terms of development. This however did not last for long after drought struck and pushed Adelaide into a depression on the early 1900s. However with strong leadership it was able to get back on its feet, and many secondary industries were set, reducing on the over reliance on the primary industries.
The Geography of Adelaide.
Adelaide is located north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, on the Adelaide Plains between the Gulf St Vincent and the low-lying Mount Lofty Ranges. The city stretches 20 km from the coast to the foothills, and 90 km (56 mi) from Gawler at its northern extent to Sellicks Beach in the south. The region of Adelaide Metropolitan is about 870 sq. kilometers. (Australian Bureau of Statistics). Mount Lofty is located east of the Adelaide metropolitan region in the Adelaide Hills at an elevation of 727 meters (2,390 ft). It is the tallest point of the city and in the state south of Burra.
Adelaide is a planned city, designed by the first surveyor-general of South Australia, Colonel William Light. His plan, was known as Light’s Vision, arranged Adelaide in a grid, with five squares in the inner City of Adelaide and a ring of parks known as the Adelaide Parklands surrounding it. Light’s design was initially unpopular with the early settlers, as well as South Australia’s first Governor, John Hindmarsh. Light persisted with his design against this initial opposition.
This Light’s design worked very well for Adelaide. Some of the features that Adelaide benefited from because of using this design are, firstly it has had wide multi-lane roads right from the beginning. It is easy to navigate around Adelaide. And the magnificent green ring around the city center.
Adelaide is the 5th largest city in Australia, with a population of about 1.5 Million people (as of 2006 census). The largest chunk of this population (about 70%) live in the Adelaide metropolitan area. This is making Adelaide one very centralized region in Australia.
Culture in Adelaide
Religion-wise Adelaide’s majority of the population is Christian, with Catholics dominating here with about 22%. The other major denominations are Anglicans (14%), Uniting Church (14%) and Eastern Orthodox (3.8%). Another about 25% of Adelaide’s population is atheist, or does not express any religious affiliation.
Adelaide is very much English in terms of its culture. It has attracted many other immigrants from other parts of the world as well. The Germans here came mainly when escaping the religious persecutions that were taking place back at home. The Germans who were first in Adelaide were Lutherans who are responsible for the many vineyards in Barossa Valley. They came with vine cuttings that they planted here and found to do well.
Later through the years, other culture such as Italians, Greeks, Poles and many other Europeans flocked Adelaide Australia inclusive especially after World War 2. Asians have also been added to this following the Vietnam War. Africans have also migrated here with time. The culture in Adelaide currently is one that is a very cosmopolitan and diverse.
Tags: Adelaide, Barossa Valley, Mount Lofty