The visual excitement and variety of the harbour city is matched by the diversity and energy of Sydneysiders. Sydney is a vigorous, cosmopolitan city, a major industrial, business and commercial centre and is endlessly fascinating in its variety and its beauty.
The beaches and harbour play a major role in the leisure and sporting lives of Sydneysiders - yachting, surfing, sailboarding, swimming, boating, fishing and waterskiing are all popular activities.
Many national parks and protected areas of natural bushland surround the city and the beautiful Blue Mountains are only a short journey to the west.
The Sydney Opera House with its graceful 'sails' has become Sydney's cultural centre, home to the Sydney Symphony, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Australian Ballet and the Sydney Theatre Company. The historic 'Rocks' area nearby, and this part of the harbour foreshore is a hub of activity for both local residents and visitors.
Some interesting statistics...
There are 37 beaches along Sydney's coastline, from Palm Beach to Cronulla.
The Sydney metropolitan area covers 4,000 square kilometres. That's the same size as London and double the size of New York City.
Sydney Harbour has enough water to fill 504,000 Olympic swimming pools.
The Mint on Macquarie Street is the oldest building in Sydney's CBD. It was built in 1815.
Centrepoint Tower is 305 metres above sea level.
There are about 75 kilometres of roadway in the City of Sydney.
The NSW Government didn't pay off the debt for building the Sydney Harbour Bridge until 1988, 56 years after it was opened
