Perth, situated in Western Australia is the fourth most populous city in Australia. It is also the largest city and capital of the state of Western Australia. The estimated population of the Perth metropolitan area is 1,659, 000. The metropolitan area, located south-west of the continent, is bounded by the Darling Range, a low coastal escarpment, on one end and the Indian Ocean on the other. On the coast of the Swan River lie the central business district and the suburbs of Perth.
On June 12, 1829, Captain James Stirling established Perth as the political centre of the free-settler Swan River Colony. Perth has witnessed rapid growth, on account of being the business and administration centre of the state, which possesses many natural resources.
Perth is considered to be one of the most isolated metropolitan areas on the planet, as the closest city, Adelaide is located more than 2,104 (1,307 mi) kilometres away. Dili (East Timor), Singapore and Jakarta (Indonesia) are closer to Perth than the Australian cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The central business district (CBD) of Perth is bordered by the Swan River, both on the east and the south ends. While Kings Park forms the boundary on the western end, the Railway lines constitute the northern border. However, this boundary will witness some changes, as the State has undertaken a project named ‘The Link’, which is federally funded and involves sinking a section of the railway line and a bus terminal, expected to provide access from the central business district to Northbridge for the first time in over 100 years.
Perth demonstrates a Mediterranean type of climate, receiving moderate, cyclical rainfall and summers characterised by hot and dry weather, lasting from December to late March. February is usually the hottest month of the year. Winters are usually cool and wet. Perth receives its bulk of annual rainfall in the months between May and September. Perth is predominantly a sunny city.
Perth dominates the Western Australian economy, due to its population and role as the administrative centre for business and government. Since the 1950s, Perth’s economy has evolved favourably towards the services industries. Perth also provides services in the resources and agriculture industries. Due to Perth’s geographical isolation, the need for manufacturing was minimal and residents relied on imported manufactured goods to meet their needs.
Industrial employment however changed the economic landscape of Perth. Post World War 11, economic prosperity, suburban expansion and increase in car ownership was seen in Perth. The decentralisation of workforce and improvements in transport helped in establishing small-scale manufacturing centres in the suburbs. Industrial manufacturing estates such as Kwinana, Welshpool and Kewdale were set up south of the river, post the war. Since the 1950s, the location witnessed rapid development in the heavy industry which included the establishment of an oil refinery, steel-rolling mill with a blast furnace, alumina refinery, power station and a nickel refinery. Rail standardisation supported the growth of the manufacturing industry. In 1968, the Kewdale Freight Terminal was set up close to the Welshpool industrial area, replacing the erstwhile Perth railway yards.
Post-WWII, Perth witnessed population increase and increased employment opportunities in retail and wholesale trade, business services, health, education, community, personal services and in public administration. These services sectors, in the Perth metropolitan area, were the chief sources of income for the people.