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 Legislative elections for the 51st Parliament of South Australia were held in the state of South Australia on 18 March 2006, and were conducted by the independent State Electoral Office. The centre-left Australian Labor Party, in government since 2002 under Premier Mike Rann, gained a 7.7 percent statewide swing, resulting in the first Labor majority government since the 1985 election, with 28 of the 47 House of Assembly (lower house) seats. The centre-right Liberal Party of Australia, led by Rob Kerin, achieved their worst lower house result in any South Australian election, with 31.9% of seats. In addition to the major party results, all three sitting independents and a sitting Nationals SA member retained their lower house seats. In the Legislative Council (upper house), both major parties each finished with a total of eight seats, with Labor winning four and the Liberals winning three. No Pokies independent Nick Xenophon polled an unprecedented (for an independent or minor party) 20.5 percent, resulting in both Xenophon and his running mate, Ann Bressington being elected. Family First had a second member elected, the Democrats vote collapsed leaving one remaining member, and the SA Greens won a seat for the first time. End of Skyshow 2006 seen from golf course, corner of Ward Street and Mills Terrace, North Adelaide. Skyshow was an annual fireworks event held in the South Australian capital of Adelaide since 1985. The half-hour fireworks display is synchronised to pop music and presented by local commercial radio station SAFM. Originating as an Australia Day celebration, the event was subsequently moved to late summer, usually February. WikiProject Adelaide WikiProject Australia ...that Beaumont House (pictured) was constructed for Augustus Short, the first Anglican bishop of Adelaide and founder of St Peter's Cathedral? ...that Ansett Airlines Flight 232 from Adelaide to Alice Springs in 1972 was the first aircraft hijacking to take place in Australia? ...that the Barker Inlet in South Australia contains one of the southernmost mangrove forests in the world ? ...that the Yatala Labour Prison is located on an escarpment of the Para Fault Block, overlooking the Adelaide Plains? 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