Sydney, Australia

Sydney, Australia is a city of many substances, perfect for any vacation and livable for every lifestyle. With an unlikely start as a convict colony, Sydney today has come very far. When most people hear 'Australia', they probably just think of the outback and kangaroos. But much like the US, different regions contain different traits. Moving through the country, you'll see many different things-- a desert, grassland, beaches, and waterfalls. But then you'll come to the Eastern coast … and you'll come to Sydney, a place unlike any other on Earth. Sydney's kind people, beautiful weather, and hidden potential are just a few of the qualities that make this city so amazing.

So how did a city of over 4 million people come to be? For thousands of years prior to English settlement, the entire continent of Australia was inhabited by indigenous clans, the Australian Aborigines. The Sydney area was populated between 4,000 and 8,000 Cadigal people. In 1778, though, 11 ships arrived, often referred to as the First Fleet. These ships, carried roughly 700 convicts and several marines. They originally anchored in Botany Bay, but afterwards traveled further north, due to lack of available freshwater. They settled in the area today known as Sydney Harbour. It was named after the minister accountable for the colony. But the arrival of the English would cause problems for the natives. It lead to conflicts and illness, and in the end, almost 1000 Aborigines had died of a disease, thought to be smallpox brought by the English. Today there are still Aboriginal descendants in Sydney, but not many. A few centuries later, in the mid 1800s, the Australian gold rushes came. This brought many fortune seeking people to all of the continent. During the industrial era, many people immigrated to Sydney, and eventually, it came to what it is today- a multi-cultural group of people that formed one community. Sydney is a mix of religions and beliefs from all over the world. 

Sydney is like the New York of Australia. Millions of tourists from all over the world every year. But what brings all these people to Sydney? This city is rich in cultural, architectural and environmental indulgences. From the beautiful, natural scenery of Port Jackson to the structural design and music of the Opera House,  it's no wonder why Sydney is such a desired vacation spot. Attractions include parks, beaches, zoos, museums, an aquarium and much more. But perhaps some of the most famous landmarks include some of Australia's history. Ever since the 2000 summer Olympics, Sydney's population and tourism rate have grown. The Olympic park/stadium is still visited and used today for training and education. In fact, the city of Sydney does a lot of hosting every year. In January, the Sydney festival is held annually, celebrating the cultural art of Sydney. It is  one of the biggest Events of the year. Another popular occasion is the Sydney film festival, obviously celebrating film. Famous actors come from all over the world to rejoice. Mardi Gras and the Chinese New Year celebrations are a favorite time to party in Australia. There are several festivities every month, so overall, Sydney is bustling with activity all year round, making any time of year the ideal time to visit.

Though most of the time half the city is filled with tourists, some people choose to call Sydney their home. People like this are often referred to as "Sydneysiders".  With all of these things to do in the city, it certainly has an effect on the economy. The unemployment rate of Sydney is about five percent, which, compared to the average us city, almost nine percent, is fairly low. Sydney was also ranked in the 20's (out of 100) globally by Innovation Agency 2Thinknow for economic innovation. Another high award is that it was ranked in the top ten most livable cities by the Mecer Human Resource Consulting and the Economist. These rankings were based on several qualities of the cities, such as safety, education, hygiene, political and economical stability and more. 

 In many ways, Sydney is a great city. It is resourceful, cultural, colorful, and friendly. The city has made many plans for the future, that can be seen on the official Sydney website, so I think it's safe to say that Sydney has not yet reached it's prime and has a bright future ahead of it. Sydney is the perfect destination for any family, business person, or traveler. It has so much to offer that it would be a shame to miss out. Sydney is full of opportunity and potential, and could make anyone's day.