Adelaide

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

the capital of South Australia, 7 miles by rail S. E. of Port Adelaide, on St. Vincent Gulf. It stands on a large plain, and is walled in on the eastern and southern sides by the Mount Lofty range; the town proper is inclosed by a wide belt of garden shrubbery. The first settlement was made in 1836, and named after the queen of William IV. The Torrens divides the town into North and South Adelaide, the former being occupied chiefly with residences, and the latter forming the business portion of the town. Five substantial iron bridges span the Torrens, which has been formed by a dam into a lake 11½ miles long. The streets are broad and regularly laid out, especially in Adelaide proper, to the south of the river, where they cross each other at right angles, and are planted with trees. Among ng the public buildings are the new Parliament Houses, government offices, postoffice, and townhall; South Australian Institute, with museum library and art galleries; hospitals; extensive botanical garden; etc. chief manufactures are woolen, leather, iron, and earthenware goods; but the chief importance of Adelaide depends on its being the great emporium for South Australia. Wool, wine, wheat, flour and copper ore are the staple articles of export. There are a number of colleges and Adelaide University and a school of mines. It is the seat of an Anglican and of a Roman Catholic bishop. Glenelg, on the sea, 5 miles away, is a favorite watering place. Pop., with suburbs, about 250,000. Port Adelaide, its port, dates from 1840. It is a principal port of call for vessels arriving from Europe.