Adelaide, city in southern Australia, the capital and chief city of the state of South Australia. Situated on the Torrens River near the Gulf Saint Vincent (an arm of the Indian Ocean), Adelaide is a modern city of broad streets, large squares, and extensive parks. Manufactures include electronic and motor-vehicle equipment, machinery, chemicals, textiles, and plastic goods. Shipping facilities are at nearby Port Adelaide. Notable points of interest in Adelaide include the Adelaide Festival Centre complex (site of a biennial arts festival that began in 1960), the Botanic Gardens, Government House, the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery of South Australia, and the cathedrals of Saint Peter (Anglican) and Saint Francis Xavier (Roman Catholic). The University of Adelaide (1874) and the University of South Australia (1991) are here.
Adelaide was founded in 1836 and named for the consort of William IV, then the British king. It was designed and surveyed in 1837 by Colonel William Light and in 1840 was incorporated as a municipality. The community soon developed as the chief outlet for the agriculture of the lower Murray River valley. It achieved city status in 1919. Population 1,088,400 (1998 estimate).
