The State Where I LIve ...

For the lack of much else to say at the moment, I thought I might share with you some facts about where I live ... Victoria, Australia.

I borrowed some details from Victorian information websites ... most of this is not my own words !!

FACTS ABOUT VICTORIA:

POPULATION: 3.5 Million.
CAPITAL: Melbourne
AREA: 227,600 Sq Km ... roughly the size of the British Isles
LOCATION: In the South-eastern corner of the mainland of Australia.
CLIMATE: Highest temp. 50.8, C at Mildura in the north-west. -12.8. at Mt. Hotham in the Snowy Mountains.

Victoria (usually) has a high rainfall, with extremes of heat in summer in the western and north western regions. (At this state of time, we are still in drought conditions throughout most of the State ... I think ... and have been on permanent water restrictions for a few years now.)

Melbourne was first settled in 1835.

Victoria is Australia's smallest mainland state with 1800 km of coastline.

Victoria floral emblem is the Common Heath (Epacris impressa).

Victoria's capital, Melbourne is located around the shores of Port Phillip Bay. The city itself sits beside the Yarra River, about five kilometres from the bay. Renowned for its sense of style and elegance, Melbourne boasts glamorous festivals and events, Australia's best shopping, a lively passion for eating and drinking, and a flourishing interest in the arts. Great vestiges of nineteenth-century architecture, built following the discovery of gold, are heady reminders of a prosperous age, while beautifully tended parks and gardens present a therapeutic respite from the pace of city life.

Melbourne's Flinders Street Station

Victoria’s regions:
Victoria is a small state ... it is broken down into 11 regions, for the sake of tourism.

Melbourne ... A city of world-class events, shopping, food and wine, and a fabulous arts scene.
Macedon Ranges & Spa Country ...Everything you need for the indulgent short break or weekend away.
Yarra Valley, Dandenongs & the Ranges ...Victorian fine wine and tall forests under an hour from Melbourne.
Mornington Peninsula ... Olive groves and vineyards with sea views, and great local restaurants and markets.
Phillip Island ... A popular destination for families, lovers of water sports and wildlife.
Great Ocean Road ... Stunning ocean views, beachside activities, laidback coastal towns and maritime villages.
Goldfields ... Spectacular historic towns, architecture and gold history.
Grampians ... Adventure activities, superb national and state parks and native wildlife.
Legends, Wine & High Country ... Nature-based adventure, food and wine in alpine landscapes.
Gippsland ... Coastal wilderness, national forests, mountain streams, and spectacular touring routes.

The Murray ... Home to Australia's longest river, deserts and wetlands.

I have lived most of my life in Melbourne (or a suburb thereof), and find it a wonderful place to live. I have done some travelling throughout various states of Australia, but would prefer to live right where I am. We have the luxury (??) of experiencing all 4 seasons (sometimes all in one day !!), but do not really get the extremes in weather (although we do have some very, very hot days in Summer). If we want "real" Winter temperatures, and snow, we are only a few hours away from the ski fields ... we have great snow most Winters, and the ski fields are amazing.

I hope you have enjoyed this little snippet of the part of the world I live in. I may take some of my favorite parts of Victoria, and provide you with some information and photos, at another time ... so that you may discover some more of the life of Meow.

I hope your weekend is going wonderfully ... it is now just after 1pm on Sunday afternoon ... not much left of my weekend !!

Take care everyone,

MEOW