Greater Perth

Composed of the city centre, suburbs, and its other immediate locales, Perth is the state capital of Western Australia. The coastal metropolis, which fronts the Indian Ocean to the west, is located along the western borders of the Australian mainland. Its estimated population of well over 1.6 million residents makes it the largest city in the state and fourth most populous in the country. With a 5,386-square-kilometre land area, the locality covers over 30 Local Government Areas, 42 State Districts, and 11 Federal Divisions.

Established in June 1829 by Sir James Stirling (an Admiral in the British Royal Navy), Perth was the first full-scale European settlement in Western Australia (then known as the Swan River Colony). The town, which then was the colony's political centre, was named in honour of Sir George Murray (an officer in the British Army, as well as Secretary of State for War and the Colonies between May 1828 and November 1830), who was born in Perth, Scotland. Later in March 1831, Stirling was formally proclaimed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Swan River Colony, an office he held until 1838.

In more recent history, Perth was nicknamed the "City of Light" in 1962 when its residents lit their homes and streets as John Herschel Glenn, Jr.-the American astronaut who piloted the spacecraft, Friendship 7-passed overhead. The city repeated the act in 1998 as Glenn again passed overhead aboard the Space Shuttle. In 2011, The Economist (a British weekly newsmagazine) voted the metropolis into the eighth spot (albeit tied with another) in its list of the "World's Most Livable Cities".

Its numerous attractions regularly draw people into the Greater Perth area. As such, tourism is a thriving industry in the region, and it contributes to other local industries as well. Hence, there are many ways to appreciate what the city has to offer:

A good way to experience and enjoy Perth is by learning about its culture and history, and the city and its greater area provide numerous avenues to make this possible. Some of the region's most relevant locales include the Aboriginal Artists Galleries, Armadale History House, Art Gallery and Museum, Aviation Heritage Museum, Berndt Museum, Museum and Fire Safety Education Centre, Museum of Childhood, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Art Gallery of Western Australia, and Western Australian Museum.

If an exploration of Perth's nature and wildlife is preferred, one might visit some of the best relevant sites within the area. These include Caversham Wildlife Park, Cohunu Koala Park, Ellis Brook Valley Reserve, John Forrest National Park, Nambung National Park, Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre, Penguin Island, Perth Zoo, Rottnest Island, and Walyunga National Park.

Alternatively, locals and visitors alike can drop by some of Perth's leisure facilities and spend time alone, or with family and friends. Notable locales include Adventure World, Burswood Park, Cordelia Gardens, Hyde Park, Infants' Butterfly Garden, Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, Mobile Laser Skirmish WA, Stirling Gardens, Supreme Court Gardens, and Whiteman Park.