Sydney, capital city of New South Wales, on the eastern coast of Australia. The oldest and largest Australian city, Sydney was established as a British penal settlement. Arthur Phillip commanded the First Fleet on its antipodean voyage and was the first governor of the new colony, which was established at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788. Sydney, named after Viscount Sydney (the British Home Secretary of the time), also was a pre-emptive British presence to deter further French penetration of the South Pacific. The city is situated on the southern shore of its harbour, Port Jackson, and has a foreshore of 240 km (149 mi), consisting of inlets, tributary rivers, bays, coves, and promontories.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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