Melbourne

Melbourne (pop. 3,080,900), second-largest city in Australia and capital of Victoria, on the Yarra River. Founded by settlers in 1835 and named (1837) in honor of the British prime minister Lord Melbourne, the city is now one of the nation's chief ports; it ranks with Sydney as a major industrial center. Manufactures include textiles, leather goods, ships, automobiles, and aircraft; oil refineries also have been built. Melbourne was the seat of the Australian federal government (1901–27).

See also: Australia.