Perth, city in southwestern Australia, capital of Western Australia, on the Swan River. It is an important railroad hub and, with nearby communities, forms the principal commercial, manufacturing, and cultural center of the state. Major products of the area include metal and metal items, refined petroleum, processed food, rubber goods, building supplies, and printed materials.
Perth has a moderate climate, with warm to hot summers and cool winters. King's Park, near downtown Perth, features a large area of natural Australian vegetation known as bushland. From September to November, during the Australian spring, the bushland blooms with thousands of species of wildflowers. Other attractions in Perth are the Art Gallery of Western Australia, containing a collection of European and Australian art; the Western Australian Museum, featuring natural science and historical exhibits; and Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals. Institutions of higher education in the Perth metropolitan area include the University of Western Australia (1911); Murdoch University (1973); Curtin University of Technology (1987); and Edith Cowan University (1991).
