Portal:South Australia

Topics Culture Geography Health History Mathematics Nature People Philosophy Religion Society Technology South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent and with a total land area of 984 377 km² (380 070 sq mi), it is the fourth largest of Australia's states and territories. It is bordered to the west by Western Australia, to the north by the Northern Territory and Queensland, to the east by Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, and along the south by the Great Australian Bight and the Southern Ocean. With 1.5 million people, the state comprises less than 10 per cent of the Australian population and ranks fifth in population among the states and territories. The majority of its people reside in the capital city Adelaide, with most of the remainder settled in fertile areas along the south-eastern coast and River Murray. The state's origins were unique in Australia as a freely-settled, planned British province–all of Australia's other states were founded as convict colonies. Official settlement began on 28 December 1836 when the state was proclaimed at The Old Gum Tree by Governor Hindmarsh. The guiding principle behind settlement was that of systematic colonisation, a theory espoused by Edward Gibbon Wakefield that was later employed by New Zealand. The aim was to establish the province as a centre of civilisation for free immigrants, promising civil liberties and religious tolerance. Although its history is marked by economic hardship, South Australia has remained politically innovative and culturally vibrant. Today, the state is known as a state of festivals, and of fine wine. Show new selections Until 1958, Trams in Adelaide formed a network spanning most of suburban Adelaide, with a history dating back to 1878. Adelaide ran horse trams from 1878 to 1914 and electric trams from 1909, but has primarily relied on buses for public transport since 1958. Today there is a single remaining tram line with two classes of electric tram, built in 1929 and 2006, respectively. The tram line connects the central business district of Adelaide, capital of South Australia, to the seaside suburb of Glenelg. Electric trams and trolleybuses were Adelaide's main public transport throughout the life of the electric tram network and are enjoying a resurgence with the expansion of the remaining line and the first new tram purchases for more than 50 years. The early use of trams was for recreation as well as daily travel, by entire families and tourists. Until the 1950s, trams were used for family outings to the extent that the Municipal Tramways Trust (MTT) constructed gardens in the suburb of Kensington Gardens, extending the Kensington line to attract customers. By 1945 the MTT was collecting fares for 95 million trips annually—295 trips per head of population. After the Great Depression, the maintenance of the tramway system and the purchase of new trams suffered. Competition from private buses, the MTT's own bus fleet and the growth of private car ownership all took patrons from the tram network. By the 1950s, the tram network was losing money and being replaced by an electric and petrol-driven bus fleet. Adelaide's tram history is preserved by a volunteer run museum and tramway at St Kilda, and the continuing use of 1929 H Class trams on the remaining Glenelg tram line. The Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) is located on the cultural boulevard of North Terrace in Adelaide. With a large collection of more than 30,000 works of art and more than 500,000 visitors annually, the AGSA is renowned for its leading collections of Indigenous Australian and colonial art, as well as for its innovative exhibitions. Located adjacent to State Library of South Australia, the South Australian Museum and the University of Adelaide, AGSA is part of Adelaide's cultural precinct. The gallery was established in 1881, and has existed at its current location since 1897. WikiProject Adelaide WikiProject Australia ...that the Adelaide O-Bahn (pictured) is a guided busway in Australia that runs from Adelaide CBD to the Tea Tree Plaza shopping centre in Tea Tree Gully? ...that Semaphore, South Australia, the home of Australia's largest carousel is also the birthplace of renowned aviator Sir Ross Smith? ...that the International Grape Genome Program in Adelaide, Australia discovered that white grapes only exist today due to a rare genetic mutation that took place thousands of years ago? ...that John Downer, Premier of South Australia from 1885 to 1887, is the grandfather of Alexander Downer, a former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs? Main: South Australia Buildings and structures in South Australia Culture of South Australia Education in South Australia Emblems of South Australia Emergency services in South Australia Flora of South Australia Geography of South Australia Government of South Australia History of South Australia Images of South Australia Organisations based in South Australia People from South Australia Sport in South Australia Transport in South Australia Visitor attractions in South Australia Queensland Northern Territory Western Australia South Australia New South Wales Victoria Tasmania Australian Capital Territory Visit Australia Portal Geography: Adelaide Hills | Adelaide Plains | Barossa Valley | Clare Valley | Coonawarra | Eyre Peninsula | Fleurieu Peninsula | Flinders Ranges | Kangaroo Island | Limestone Coast | Mid North | Nullarbor Plain | Riverland | Yorke Peninsula History: Kaurna Indigenous people | European settlement | History of Adelaide | Proclamation Day | Australian Overland Telegraph Line | Timeline of South Australian history Towns and Cities: Adelaide | Coober Pedy | Mount Gambier | Murray Bridge | Port Augusta | Port Lincoln | Port Pirie | Victor Harbor | Whyalla Economy and Politics: Premiers | Governors | Parliament | House of Assembly | Electoral districts | Legislative Council | State elections Culture: Croweater | Pie floater | Wine | The Advertiser | Adelaide Festival Centre | Adelaide Entertainment Centre | WOMADelaide | Adelaide Fringe Festival | Elder Park | The Crows | The Power | The Reds | Redbacks | Hindmarsh Stadium | AAMI Stadium | Rundle Mall People: Kaurna Indigenous people | Matthew Flinders | William Light | Charles Sturt | Edward Gibbon Wakefield | John Hindmarsh | George Gawler | Playford family | Don Dunstan Here are some tasks you can do to help with WikiProject Adelaide: The current Australian Collaboration of the Fortnight article is Brown Mountain forest. Places and landmarks: Southern Vales, Science Park, Sir Samuel Way Building, Cummins House, Adelaide Central School of Art, Pearson Isles Parks and rivers: Henley Square, Peace Park Events and people: Carnevale in Adelaide, Come Out Festival, SALA Festival, Ian Gilfillan, Edmund William Wright Streets: South Terrace, Currie Street History: The Chronicle (South Australia), Adelaide Observer, Adelaide Steamship Company, History Trust of South Australia, Electoral reform in South Australia Other: Category:Wikipedia requested photographs in South Australia, Category:Wikipedia requested photographs in Adelaide Assess: Category:Unknown-importance South Australia articles, Category:Unassessed South Australia articles, Category:Unknown-importance Adelaide articles, Category:Unassessed Adelaide articles Maintain: Portal:South Australia Template:/box-header The following Wikimedia sister projects provide more on this subject: What are portals? List of portals Featured portals