Armidale, city, state of New South Wales, south-eastern Australia, lying inland in the heart of the New England Range, a part of the Great Dividing Range. Armidale initially developed as an agricultural centre especially known for its beef and fine wool; today there is some light industry, and education and tourism are of increasing importance. There are a number of national parks within easy reach of Armidale, including Oxley Wild Rivers (which contains Wollomombi Falls, Australia's highest waterfall). Notable features of Armidale are the New England Art Gallery, the Aboriginal Centre, and the Keeping Place.
An educational and cultural centre, Armidale was founded in 1839 by G. J. MacDonald, the commissioner for Crown lands, and named after his family's Scottish estate. Armidale has many impressive Victorian buildings and is the seat of the University of New England (founded 1954), which is one of the few Australian universities not located in a state capital. Armidale was designated a town in 1845 and a city in 1885. Population 21,330 (1996).Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Armidale Information info
|
