Mildura, city in Victoria, Australia. Mildura is a part of the Sunraysia region of Victoria and lies inland on the Murray River near its confluence with the Darling River. It is a tourist destination (the departure point for paddle steamer rides up the Murray River) and lies at the heart of an agricultural area. The climate is among the hottest and sunniest in Victoria, and the area is a fertile and productive fruit and vegetable growing area, of which Mildura is the main commercial and processing centre. It supplies much of Victoria's fresh and dried fruit, especially grapes, oranges, and avocados. This transformation from semi-desert has been brought about by extensive irrigation. Irrigation experts, the Chaffey brothers, were brought from California in 1887 by Alfred Deakin (later an Australian prime minister) to design irrigation networks from the Murray River. Many of their designs remain in service today, although some areas have suffered salinization or waterlogging. Mildura prospered with the irrigation and the railway (1903). The area was settled in the 1840s by sheep farmers, and given its name from the Kulkyne Aboriginal phrase for “dry red earth”. It was designated a town in 1922 and achieved city status in 1934. Population (1998) 42,700.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Mildura Information info
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